Spanish PM’s Wife Charged with Corruption in High-Profile Case
Begona Gomez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, has been formally charged with corruption offences following a two-year investigation.
A Madrid court accused Gomez of influence peddling, embezzlement and misuse of public funds, as well as private corruption. Her assistant and a businessman are also facing charges, though all have denied wrongdoing.
Judge Juan Carlos Peinado said there was sufficient evidence to proceed, giving prosecutors and defence teams five days to request a trial or submit arguments.
The case centres on allegations that Gomez used her position to secure professional advantages, including a role linked to Complutense University of Madrid, and to attract sponsorship for academic programmes.
Sanchez has rejected the accusations, describing the case as politically motivated. Speaking during an official visit to China, he said he trusted the judicial process and believed «time will put everything in its place».
Members of his Socialist party, PSOE, have also dismissed the investigation as a «smear campaign», accusing political opponents of targeting the prime minister through his family.
However, the opposition People’s Party criticised the situation as «unbelievable», intensifying political tensions in Spain.
The case, which began in 2024, is one of several corruption-related investigations involving figures close to the government and is likely to remain a major issue in Spanish politics as it moves toward a potential trial.
