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Begoña Gómez ordered to face jury trial for influence peddling and embezzlement
Judge Juan Carlos Peinado has ordered the opening of an oral trial with a jury for Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Gómez faces charges of influence peddling and embezzlement of public funds. The investigation centers on her role in managing a university chair at the Complutense University of Madrid and the alleged misuse of software developed for that project.
Cristina Álvarez, an advisor at Moncloa, will also face trial as a necessary collaborator in the embezzlement charge, specifically regarding the diversion of university software. While the judge declined to impose precautionary measures or bail, he ordered an investigation into Gómez's economic capacity, requesting her last five tax returns.
The decision comes in the final week of Judge Peinado's career before his scheduled retirement on September 27. The case, which began following a complaint by the group Manos Limpias, has sparked significant political tension. The Spanish government has condemned the ruling as an arbitrary and unjust political persecution.
Popular accusations, including those coordinated by Hazte Oír, are seeking a 13-year prison sentence for Gómez. Conversely, both the prosecution and the defense have called for her acquittal, with the prosecution stating that the evidence does not prove a crime.
Entities
Audiencia Provincial de Madrid · Begoña Gómez · Clean Hands Association · Complutense University of Madrid · Cristina Álvarez · Juan Carlos Peinado · Pedro Sánchez · Provincial Court of Madrid · Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 13 SOURCES] Cristina Álvarez is charged as a necessary collaborator in the embezzlement crime. www.lavozdegalicia.es · www.diariodealmeria.es · www.diariodecadiz.es · www.diariodejerez.es · www.economiadigital.es · +3 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The Provincial Court of Madrid previously reduced charges and excluded suspects in this case. www.todoalicante.es · www.lavozdegalicia.es · www.diariodealmeria.es · www.diariodecadiz.es · www.diariodejerez.es
- [● 25 SOURCES] Judge Juan Carlos Peinado has ordered the opening of an oral trial against Begoña Gómez. www.todoalicante.es · www.lavozdegalicia.es · www.diariodealmeria.es · www.diariodecadiz.es · www.diariodejerez.es · +14 more
- [● 17 SOURCES] Judge Juan Carlos Peinado is retiring on September 27 at age 72. www.todoalicante.es · www.lavozdegalicia.es · www.diariodeleon.es · www.diariodealmeria.es · www.diariodecadiz.es · +5 more
- [● 26 SOURCES] Begoña Gómez is accused of influence peddling and embezzlement. www.lavozdegalicia.es · www.diariodealmeria.es · www.diariodecadiz.es · www.diariodejerez.es · www.economiadigital.es · +15 more
- [● 24 SOURCES] The trial will be conducted before a jury. www.lavozdegalicia.es · www.diariodealmeria.es · www.diariodecadiz.es · www.diariodejerez.es · www.economiadigital.es · +13 more
- [● 13 SOURCES] The judge ordered an investigation into Begoña Gómez's economic capacity. www.economiadigital.es · www.europasur.es · elveedordigital.com · www.elliberal.cat · www.mejorinformado.com · +5 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Businessman Juan Carlos Barrabés was removed from the jury trial to continue via a separate procedure. www.lavozdegalicia.es · www.diariodealmeria.es · www.diariodecadiz.es · www.diariodejerez.es · www.e-radio.gr · +1 more
- [● 15 SOURCES] The alleged influence peddling is linked to the creation of a chair at Complutense University. www.e-radio.gr · www.ieidiseis.gr · www.thestival.gr · www.zougla.gr · www.lavozdegalicia.es · +9 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Begoña Gómez denies all wrongdoing and seeks acquittal. www.ieidiseis.gr · www.thestival.gr · www.zougla.gr · newsonline.com.ar · lamanyana.cat
- [● 6 SOURCES] The prosecution supports the acquittal of Begoña Gómez, stating evidence does not prove a crime. www.ieidiseis.gr · www.thestival.gr · www.zougla.gr · www.elliberal.cat · www.mejorinformado.com · +1 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Begoña Gómez and Cristina Álvarez are to be sent to trial by jury. www.e-radio.gr · www.ieidiseis.gr · www.thestival.gr · www.zougla.gr