Begoña Gómez

Begoña Gómez, wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, is currently facing a pending trial before a popular jury regarding allegations of influence peddling and the embezzlement of public funds. The judicial proceedings began in April 2024 following a private complaint filed by the organization Manos Limpias. Investigating judge Juan Carlos Peinado subsequently expanded the scope of the inquiry to include allegations of corruption in business dealings and misappropriation of funds. In April 2026, the judge formally proposed that she stand trial for these four charges. In July 2026, a Madrid court ruled to proceed with the trial for influence peddling and embezzlement of public funds while dismissing additional charges, including corruption and misappropriation related to software. This same ruling returned Gómez's passport and lifted previously imposed precautionary measures, such as the requirement to report to court every fifteen days and travel restrictions. The allegations center on her work as co-director of a competitive social transformation chair at the Complutense University of Madrid. The prosecution alleges she used her status to gain private benefits, including the potential misappropriation of university-financed software and the misuse of a government-paid advisor for private professional tasks. The Spanish Public Prosecutor's Office has consistently requested the case be dismissed, arguing that no crime occurred and that there is no evidence of personal financial gain or detriment to public resources. Gómez has denied all wrongdoing throughout the investigation.