‘Caso Begoña Gómez’: cero indicios y cinco imputados tras un año de investigación | España | EL PAÍS

Key Findings of the Investigation

A year-long investigation into Begoña Gómez, wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, by Judge Juan Carlos Peinado García, has failed to uncover any evidence of the crimes alleged against her. The investigation, initiated by a complaint from Manos Limpias (Clean Hands) based on press clippings and false news, has been extended by six months despite multiple testimonies and Guardia Civil reports clearing Gómez of wrongdoing.

Accusations and their Dismissal

• Traffic of influence in Red.es: The Guardia Civil and witnesses deny any wrongdoing. An investigation into contracts awarded to two private companies, involving Gómez's association with one of the company owners (Juan Carlos Barrabés), found no irregularities.
• Traffic of influence in Universidad Complutense: The rector denied any influence in Gómez's hiring, citing her experience and prior involvement with the university. The judge's concern about her lacking a university degree and co-directing a chair without being a professor were dismissed as consistent with university regulations.
• Traffic of influence in IE Business School: Juan José Güemes, the IE Business School executive who hired Gómez, maintains the hiring was unrelated to her husband's position. Despite testimony supporting this, Güemes remains implicated, leading to suspicion about the judge's impartiality.
• Corruption in Business: The investigation found no evidence of Gómez improperly benefiting from her activities, despite exploring funding for a technology tool she developed for the university.
• Misappropriation of Software: Gómez's creation of a company with the same name as the chair she co-directed raised concerns, but there's no evidence that she misappropriated the software, which was free to use.
• Professional Intrusion: Gómez signed technical documents at the order of the University, which does not constitute a crime.

Judge's Conduct and Procedural Issues

The Audiencia Provincial criticized the judge's actions, citing improper procedures such as an unauthorized search of Barrabés's hospital room and an attempted investigation into the Air Europa bailout. The judge's imputations appear highly influenced by personal opinions and misinterpretations of statements from witnesses.

Outcome and Implications

Despite the absence of evidence, Begoña Gómez remains under investigation for four crimes: traffic of influence, corruption in business, misappropriation, and professional intrusion. The investigation has expanded to include additional figures, such as Gómez's assistant, potentially opening a new avenue of inquiry focused on the Moncloa Palace.