Spain’s Justice Minister Félix Bolaños (main image) defended Begoña Gómez, the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, while testifying in a corruption probe on Wednesday, stating she followed all legal procedures when hiring an assistant, according to Spanish media reports.
This investigation, on-going for a year, is one of several corruption inquiries linked to Sánchez’s family and close associates that have proved politically damaging for his left-leaning coalition government. However, no formal charges have been filed.
Sánchez has dismissed the accusations, calling them part of a smear campaign orchestrated by right-wing and far-right opponents, who have seized on the scandal to push for his resignation.
Gómez is under scrutiny for allegedly employing a staff member from the prime minister’s office in her private professional work, a move that could be considered misappropriation of public resources. ALSO READ: Begoña Gómez, wife of Spanish PM, denies wrongdoing in graft investigation hearing.
Bolaños appeared as a witness before Judge Juan Carlos Peinado at Moncloa Palace, the prime minister’s official residence in Madrid.
He told the judge that the position of assistant to the prime minister’s spouse was already in place prior to Gómez’s tenure, and unlike her predecessors, Gómez had only one assistant, according to reports
Bolaños stressed that the hiring process was conducted lawfully and explained during his more than two-hour testimony that he neither knew the assistant beforehand, nor was he involved in her recruitment or management, the sources added.
Judge Peinado began investigating Gómez in April last year following complaints by far-right-affiliated organisations Manos Limpias (‘Clean Hands’) and Hazte Oír (‘Make Yourself Heard’).
These groups allege Gómez exploited her husband’s political role for personal business advantages, including to promote a course she oversaw at Madrid’s Complutense University.
Despite two Guardia Civil reports finding no wrongdoing and a request from prosecutors to drop the case, Peinado has pressed on with the inquiry.
Additional corruption accusations have also surfaced involving Sánchez’s brother and a former senior government official, adding further pressure on the prime minister, who has led a minority government since 2018 and continues to face legislative hurdles. ALSO READ: Former Spanish transport minister ‘given Marbella villa stay for helping airline bailout’.
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Ante el juez, Bolaños ha defendido que la figura de la asistente de la mujer del presidente, ha existido siempre y que su contrato fue legal.
— Telediarios de TVE (@telediario_tve) April 16, 2025
Nos lo cuenta @josesieiraperez
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