Spanish judicial council splits on disciplining Judge Peinado over police escort comments

Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska filed a strong complaint with the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ) after Judge Juan Carlos Peinado suggested that the police escort protecting Begoña Gómez, the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, could help her flee.

The CGPJ was evenly divided, four votes to four, on whether to open a disciplinary file against Peinado. President Isabel Perelló cast the tie‑breaking vote and referred the matter to disciplinary promoter Ricardo Conde to decide if Peinado’s statements constitute a serious breach under article 418.5 of the Organic Law of the Judiciary.

If a sanction were imposed, possible penalties range from a fine of €501‑€6,000 to temporary suspension or forced transfer, though Peinado is set to retire in September, limiting the impact of any sanction.