Judge Juan Carlos Peinado to retire amid Begoña Gómez investigation

Judge Juan Carlos Peinado is set to retire on September 27 at the age of 72, concluding a controversial tenure marked by his investigation into Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

Peinado initiated the proceedings following a complaint from the Clean Hands Association. While the Provincial Court of Madrid has validated the existence of criminal material that requires clarification, the investigation has been characterized by legal volatility. Sources indicate that Peinado’s methods often led to increased appeals, the annulment of certain procedures, and the exclusion of suspects, which provided the government and the PSOE with arguments to claim they were victims of ‘lawfare’ or political persecution.

Despite the procedural difficulties and the friction caused by his approach, the court has maintained that there is sufficient evidence to potentially move the case toward a trial. The investigation has been a significant national political issue since it surfaced in April 2024, causing Prime Minister Sánchez to briefly pause his agenda to reflect on his position.