Two minutes and three questions: Begoña Gómez's statement before Judge Peinado

MadridFor the fourth time since Judge Juan Carlos Peinado began investigating her, Begoña Gómez appeared in court in Madrid to testify as a suspect. Pedro Sánchez's wife answered only questions from his defense regarding the alleged embezzlement Peinado accuses her of in connection with the hiring of his advisor at the Moncloa Palace, Cristina Álvarez. The statement lasted only two minutes, and Gómez answered only three questions about Álvarez's duties. According to legal sources, Sánchez's wife explained that Álvarez sporadically helped her with private matters, in addition to managing her schedule and public activities. Just before Gómez's appearance, the advisor also appeared in court as a suspect for the same reason. She invoked her right not to testify.

According to Peinado's account, Gómez's advisor allegedly performed tasks related to the private professional activities of the Spanish Prime Minister's wife. For the judge, this would be a case of embezzlement of public funds because Álvarez's role in the Moncloa government is linked to Gómez's, and he should not be involved in the business dealings of the chief executive's wife. Another branch of Peinado's investigation is precisely this private professional activity, linked to a professorship at the Complutense University of Madrid. Peinado believes Gómez may have committed the crimes of influence peddling, business corruption, intrusion, and misappropriation. The judge's thesis is that his advisor may have collaborated in the commission of these crimes while receiving a public salary.

The same sources explained that Gómez has not detailed which private matters Álvarez assisted him in and that he has not entered into a defense against the accusation of embezzlement. "He testified, but he didn't clarify anything," complained Vox's legal coordinator, Marta Castro, upon leaving the court. According to the lawyer, in these two minutes of testimony, Gómez has not provided any information that was not already known about Álvarez's functions. The representative of the far-right party, who is acting as a private prosecutor, has complained that they have not received answers either in the courts or in Congress, where Sánchez has clashed. in the first session of control of the political courseAs is customary at these events, around twenty people gathered outside the courthouse, summoned by Hazte Oír, another of the popular far-right accusations.

Emails on behalf of Gomez

Gómez's defense, in an appeal, rejects Peinado's account, accusing him of an "extraordinarily broad and unrealistic" interpretation of the Penal Code. The document acknowledges that Álvarez, in an email in which he discussed "matters related to events that [Sánchez's wife] was supposed to attend," included the following postscript: "Begoña tells me to tell you that she would love for it to continue as it is with a sponsor of the Cascara. You guys can help her with what she needs." Gómez's defense argues that transmitting a personal message "at the end of an email that was related to the fulfillment of her obligations" cannot be considered criminal.

Furthermore, Sánchez's wife's lawyer maintains that the role of an advisor, who has the status of "full availability," means that it is "common" to do some "favors." "This party understands that performing a favor for the person for whom you work and with whom you also maintain a friendship can never be construed as conduct falling within the scope of a criminal offense as serious as public embezzlement," the appeal states. The Madrid Court has approximately eight appeals pending resolution regarding Peinado's investigation. The judge, appointed by Sánchez's administration to act for political reasons, must decide within a month whether to extend his controversial investigation, close the case, or send Gómez to trial.