Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, must stand trial on charges of influence peddling, corruption, and embezzlement of public funds. A Madrid court ruled that there is sufficient evidence for the trial, as the 55-year-old university director is accused of using her position to secure work contracts and help favored technology companies win public contracts.
The allegations include the misuse of public funds in the hiring of a consultant and the inappropriate use of software while she served as a professor at a public university.
Judge Juan Carlos Peinado has ordered Gómez to hand in her passport and banned her from leaving the country due to a potential flight risk. She is further required to appear before the court twice a month until a verdict is reached in the case.
This case is one of several corruption affairs involving the Socialist leader's family and former allies. These ongoing probes weigh on Prime Minister Sánchez and threaten to topple his minority coalition government.