Judge completes final step before trial of Pedro Sánchez's wife

The judge investigating Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, completed the final procedural step before sending the case toward trial, according to EFE. Gómez faces accusations including influence peddling and corruption in private business.

Judge Juan Carlos Peinado summoned the accusing parties and the defense to a preliminary hearing. The accusations maintained their charges and requested a 13-year prison sentence. Gómez's defense asked for the case to be dismissed, as did the public prosecutor's office.

Peinado is expected to decide whether to open an oral trial before a popular jury. The case would then go to Madrid's Provincial Court, which would set a trial date. Such hearings typically take between four and eight months to schedule, according to the report.

Peinado opened the investigation in April 2024 into alleged influence peddling, misappropriation and corruption linked to a public chair at Madrid's Complutense University that Gómez co-directed. The case began after the self-described Manos Limpias union filed a complaint based on press reports. On June 20, Peinado formally charged Gómez with influence peddling, corruption in private-sector business between individuals, misappropriation and misuse of public funds.