Madrid:
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is currently facing a series of legal investigations involving his close circle, including his wife, brother, and former transport minister, which have cast a shadow over his leftist government.
Despite dismissing the cases as unfounded and part of a smear campaign by the right-wing opposition, the legal challenges have provided his critics with ammunition to criticize him.
Let’s take a closer look at the legal issues confronting one of Europe’s longest-serving leaders:
Wife
Sanchez’s wife, Begona Gomez, has been under scrutiny since April for alleged corruption and influence peddling during her time working at Madrid’s Complutense University. The allegations were raised by two groups with far-right affiliations — “Manos Limpias” (Clean Hands) and “Hazte Oir” (Make Your Voice Heard).
She is also accused of misappropriating software funded by private companies and originally meant for the university.
The 49-year-old was interrogated by a judge in July and is set to testify again at a Madrid court regarding the matter.
While addressing the conservative-controlled Madrid regional parliament in November, Gomez refuted the corruption accusations as politically motivated.
Ex-minister
Sanchez’s former transport minister Jose Luis Abalos, who was once part of his inner circle, is under investigation for allegedly accepting kickbacks in exchange for contracts to procure masks and other medical supplies during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
According to court documents seen by AFP, Abalos may have received “financial compensation” in the form of a house in Cadiz offered by the company that received the contracts.
The same company reportedly also covered the rent for a Madrid apartment occupied by a woman associated with the former minister.
Abalos has denied any wrongdoing. He was removed from his position by Sanchez in July 2021 and was expelled from the Socialist Party in February when the scandal emerged. He currently serves as an independent member of parliament.
Brother
The prime minister’s younger brother, David Sanchez, is under investigation since November for alleged embezzlement, influence peddling, and tax evasion following a complaint from “Manos Limpias”.
The group alleges that David, who oversees live entertainment in Badajoz province, received a public salary without fulfilling his work obligations.
Questions have been raised about the circumstances of his hiring for the position in 2017 by the province’s Socialist administration.
He is due to appear in court for questioning on January 9 regarding the matter.
Judicial Leaks
The prime minister’s inner circle is also accused of leaking information to the media about a tax fraud case involving the partner of Isabel Diaz Ayuso, the head of the Madrid region and a prominent figure in Spain’s opposition conservative Popular Party.
Alberto Gonzalez Amador, a businessman, reportedly proposed a plea deal to the public prosecutor’s office via email to avoid a trial and potential imprisonment. This email was leaked to the press.
Amador accused state prosecutors of violating his privacy rights with the leak, leading the Supreme Court to open an investigation into Spain’s chief prosecutor in October. The prosecutor, appointed by Sanchez’s government, is accused of being behind the leak.
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