La Casa de Papel producer and Sánchez's brother-in-law: €16.3 million in tax breaks
Vancouver Media, the producer of La Casa de Papel, received €16.3 million in tax deductions after hiring Begoña Gómez's brother. An influence-peddling complaint has now shaken Spain.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
€16 million in tax breaks for the La Casa de Papel producer after hiring Begoña Gómez's brother
Vancouver Media, the production company behind the hit series 'La Casa de Papel' (Money Heist), received €16.3 million in tax deductions from Spain's Ministry of Finance after hiring Miguel Ángel Gómez, brother of Begoña Gómez and brother-in-law of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The revelation, published by El Debate in October 2022, has now led to an influence-peddling complaint filed by the association Abogados Cristianos (Christian Lawyers).
The details of the complaint
According to the documentation submitted by Abogados Cristianos, the production company not only obtained multi-million-euro tax deductions but also allegedly received no-bid contracts awarded without competition and other advantages. The case rests on the timing: the hiring of the prime minister's brother-in-law coincided with the granting of the tax benefits, which total €16.3 million according to the published information.
Crime or political immorality?
Opinion on the case is divided. Some believe the scheme reveals a clear network of influence that exploits Sánchez's position to obtain financial advantages. Others argue that, while ethically questionable, the actions may not constitute a crime if it is shown that the production company met the requirements for the deductions. For some, 'La Casa de Papel''s track record as an international success could justify the tax breaks. However, the suspicion that Begoña's brother was hired precisely because of his family ties raises doubts about administrative impartiality.
A recurring pattern
This case adds to other controversies surrounding Sánchez's family, such as the alleged irregularities in the hiring of the prime minister's brother by the Provincial Council of Badajoz, which had already come to light. The accumulation of similar episodes fuels the perception that nepotism in Spanish politics is not an isolated incident, but a symptom of a system where personal connections count as much as, or more than, merit in the allocation of public resources.
The question that remains is whether the courts will find sufficient grounds to investigate or whether, as happens in so many cases, the matter will be dismissed for lack of evidence of a specific crime. Meanwhile, the tax data and family ties remain at the centre of a debate that only keeps intensifying.
Related discussions in the forum
Vancouver Media, the production company behind the hit series 'La Casa de Papel' (Money Heist), received €16.3 million in tax deductions from Spain's Ministry of Finance after hiring Miguel Ángel Gómez, brother of Begoña Gómez and brother-in-law of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The revelation, published by El Debate in October 2022, has now led to an influence-peddling complaint filed by the association Abogados Cristianos (Christian Lawyers).
The details of the complaint
According to the documentation submitted by Abogados Cristianos, the production company not only obtained multi-million-euro tax deductions but also allegedly received no-bid contracts awarded without competition and other advantages. The case rests on the timing: the hiring of the prime minister's brother-in-law coincided with the granting of the tax benefits, which total €16.3 million according to the published information.
Crime or political immorality?
Opinion on the case is divided. Some believe the scheme reveals a clear network of influence that exploits Sánchez's position to obtain financial advantages. Others argue that, while ethically questionable, the actions may not constitute a crime if it is shown that the production company met the requirements for the deductions. For some, 'La Casa de Papel''s track record as an international success could justify the tax breaks. However, the suspicion that Begoña's brother was hired precisely because of his family ties raises doubts about administrative impartiality.
A recurring pattern
This case adds to other controversies surrounding Sánchez's family, such as the alleged irregularities in the hiring of the prime minister's brother by the Provincial Council of Badajoz, which had already come to light. The accumulation of similar episodes fuels the perception that nepotism in Spanish politics is not an isolated incident, but a symptom of a system where personal connections count as much as, or more than, merit in the allocation of public resources.
The question that remains is whether the courts will find sufficient grounds to investigate or whether, as happens in so many cases, the matter will be dismissed for lack of evidence of a specific crime. Meanwhile, the tax data and family ties remain at the centre of a debate that only keeps intensifying.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (17 replies).
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