Begona Gomez, wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has been formally charged with embezzlement, influence peddling, corruption in business dealings and misappropriation of funds after a probe opened in April 2024. The case focuses on an academic chair at Madrid’s Complutense University that Gomez co-directed and alleges misuse of public resources. Gomez and Sánchez deny wrongdoing; the development adds political pressure on Sánchez’s minority government amid related investigations into his associates and family.
Begona Gomez, Wife of Spain's Prime Minister, Formally Charged in Corruption Probe
Begona Gomez is accompanying her husband, Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez, on his official visit to China (ANDRES MARTINEZ CASARES)(ANDRES MARTINEZ CASARES/POOL/AFP)
Begona Gomez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has been formally charged with multiple corruption offences after a multi-year criminal investigation, a court ruling made public Monday said.
Judge Juan Carlos Peinado opened the inquiry in April 2024 to determine whether Gomez used her position as the prime minister’s spouse for private gain. According to a ruling dated April 11, the judge said his probe uncovered sufficient indications of criminal conduct by Gomez, who is 55.
Charges and Case Details
Peinado has formally charged Gomez with embezzlement, influence peddling, corruption in business dealings and misappropriation of funds. The case centers on the creation and management of an academic chair at Madrid’s Complutense University that Gomez co-directed, and on allegations that public resources and personal connections were used to benefit private interests.
"The chair served as a means of private professional development for the person under investigation," the judge wrote in his ruling.
Political Context and Reactions
Gomez, who is accompanying Sánchez on an official visit to China, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Prime Minister Sánchez has called the accusations politically motivated and attributed them to efforts by the political right to weaken his minority coalition government. Opposition parties have called for his resignation.
The investigation began after a complaint from an anti-corruption group that has reported ties to far-right elements. The ruling comes amid other probes and legal actions that have involved members of Sánchez’s circle: his brother David Sánchez has been indicted in a separate influence-peddling inquiry, and former transport minister José Luis Ábalos — once a close aide to the prime minister — recently went on trial over alleged kickbacks linked to public contracts.
It is now for the courts to decide whether Gomez will stand trial. The charges are allegations; Gomez and Sánchez deny any criminal conduct.
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