Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has been formally charged with corruption following a lengthy criminal investigation, according to a court ruling released on Monday.
The case is one of several corruption probes involving figures close to the socialist (PSOE) leader, increasing pressure on his fragile minority coalition government.
Investigating magistrate Juan Carlos Peinado launched the inquiry back in April 2024 to examine whether Gómez had used her position as the prime minister’s spouse to obtain private benefits – allegations both she and Sánchez have firmly denied. ALSO READ: Begoña Gómez, wife of Spain’s PM, denies embezzlement in new court hearing.
At the heart of the investigation is the establishment and operation of a university chair at Complutense University of Madrid, which Gómez co-directed. The probe also examines the alleged use of public resources and personal connections to promote private interests.
In a ruling dated 11 April and made public this week, Peinado stated that there were sufficient indications of criminal wrongdoing by Gómez, 55.
She has been formally charged with embezzlement, influence peddling, corruption in business dealings and misappropriation of funds, the court document said.
‘The chair served as a means of private professional development for the person under investigation,’ the judge wrote.
It will now be up to the courts to determine whether the case proceeds to trial.
Gómez, who is currently accompanying Sánchez on an official visit to China, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. ALSO READ: Spain court halts ‘premature’ jury trial for PM’s wife, yet keeps investigation open.
The prime minister has rejected the accusations, portraying them as a politically motivated campaign by right-wing groups seeking to destabilise his government. Opposition parties, however, have called on him to step down. ALSO READ: Pedro Sánchez: ‘There are judges doing politics and politicians trying to do justice’.
The investigation stems from a complaint lodged by an anti-corruption organisation with links to the far right.
Separately, Sánchez’s brother, David Sánchez, has also been indicted in another case involving alleged influence peddling connected to his appointment by a regional authority. ALSO READ: Trial of Spanish PM’s brother for alleged corruption postponed until late May.
Meanwhile, the prime minister’s former close ally and ex-transport minister, José Luis Ábalos, went on trial earlier this month over accusations of receiving kickbacks tied to public contracts. ALSO READ: Spying scandal trial opens turbulent week for Spain’s political elite.
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🔴 El ministro de Justicia dice que el juez Peinado “avergüenza” a parte de la ciudadanía y de la judicatura y que un tribunal “imparcial” e “independiente” resolverá esta decisión judicial.
— RTVE Noticias (@rtvenoticias) April 13, 2026
Bolaños valora así que el magistrado haya cerrado la instrucción y que procese por cuatro… pic.twitter.com/56VtAXGg5Z
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