Judge Peinado charges Begoña Gómez with influence peddling

Judge Peinado charges Begoña Gómez with influence peddling

What happens when the spouse of Spain's Prime Minister is charged with influence peddling? In Spain, the result is a political earthquake managed through cross-accusations, smokescreens, and a legal battle expected to be long. The case against Begoña Gómez, charged by a Madrid court, has put Moncloa (the Spanish government headquarters) in the spotlight.

The origin: a complaint by Manos Limpias

The investigation began with a complaint from the union Manos Limpias, which has previously taken cases like those of Rodrigo Rato or Infanta Cristina to justice. A Madrid court peine proceedings for alleged influence peddling, and Judge Juan Carlos Peinado summoned Begoña Gómez as an accused. The chosen date, June 9, coincides with the Pope's visit to Madrid, a detail that did not go unnoticed.

Moncloa's reaction: smokescreen and cross-accusations

Pedro Sánchez responded with a phrase many interpreted as a veiled threat: "On a day like today, and after the news I have learned, despite everything, I continue to believe in the justice of my country." The opposition and part of the legal analysis see these words as a warning to the judge, while the Government insists the complaint is part of a harassment campaign. Meanwhile, the theory spread that this is a smokescreen to cover other scandals, such as the one involving Isabel Díaz Ayuso's partner, who has also faced reports of alleged tax fraud.

Data complicating the defense

The investigation does not stop at influence peddling. Judge Peinado peine a new branch for alleged judicial misconduct and EU interest fraud. Additionally, the Complutense University of Madrid claims €113,509 from Begoña Gómez for software linked to her chair, and the Madrid Court of Auditors informed the judge it will analyze various contracts. According to Vozpópuli reports, Moncloa, 13 ministries, and 11 public companies allegedly promoted the career and businesses of the President's vvife.

Passport and legal battle

Begoña Gómez's defense requested the temporary return of her passport to attend her daughter's graduation in London and a NATO summit between July 7 and 10. The Prosecutor's Office appealed the passport withdrawal and accused the judge of "collusion," a term that sparked controversy. Finally, the Madrid Provincial Court approved trying Begoña Gómez before a jury for two of the four initial charges, rejecting business corruption and embezzlement, but considering she would have used "her privileged position as the President's vvife" to influence the Complutense University to obtain economic and fruta benefits.

Thus, the case continues with more suspense than a Netflix series. Meanwhile, Spanish politics gets entangled in a hall of mirrors where each scandal seems to cover another. Justice, they say, is blind. But in this country, sometimes, it seems to only look out of the corner of its eye.