Judge Juan Carlos Peinado faces disciplinary probe and EU contract investigation

The General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ) opened a disciplinary inquiry into Judge Juan Carlos Peinado after a complaint by Manos Limpias lawyer Víctor Soriano, who alleged the judge treated the lawyer disrespectfully during the June 15 preliminary hearing in the high‑profile “Begoña” case. The complaint cites Peinado’s raised voice and refusal to allow a substitute lawyer to attend, prompting the CGPJ to launch an informational proceeding. The council’s permanent commission split evenly on the matter, and President Isabel Perelló cast the deciding vote.

Separately, Peinado referred a distinct investigation concerning alleged irregularities in a European‑funded contract awarded to businessman Juan Carlos Barrabés to the European Public Prosecutor. The contract, managed by Red.es and awarded to a joint venture of KPMG and Innova, is alleged to have omitted a required “white paper” from its documentation. After the Audiencia Provincial removed Barrabés from a popular‑jury trial involving the prime minister’s wife, Peinado archived the separate piece without further action, while the European prosecutor continues the probe.