Milan, 21 Sept. (LaPresse) – Judge Juan Carlos Peinado has announced that the wife of the Spanish Prime Minister, Begoña Gómez, and her assistant at La Moncloa, Cristina Álvarez, are to stand trial for influence peddling. The case file will now be forwarded to the High Court so that a date for the hearing can be set. The prosecution and the defence are seeking acquittal, whilst the civil party, led by the ultra-Catholic association Hazte Oír, is seeking a 13-year prison sentence for Gómez. According to the judge’s findings, Begoña Gómez is alleged to have exploited her position as the Prime Minister’s wife to extend a network of influence and further her professional career at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), where she co-directed a special chair, within the framework of which software was developed with the support of companies such as Google and Indra. Furthermore, according to the judge, Sánchez’s wife is said to have benefited from the support of her assistant at La Moncloa, who assisted her with her private work.
Spain: Sanchez’s wife to stand trial for influence peddling
Milan, 21 Sept. (LaPresse) – Judge Juan Carlos Peinado has announced that the wife of the Spanish Prime Minister, Begoña Gómez, and her assistant at La Moncloa, Cristina Álvarez, are to stand trial for influence peddling. The case file will now be forwarded to the High Court so that a date for the hearing can be set. The prosecution and the defence are seeking acquittal, whilst the civil party, led by the ultra-Catholic association Hazte Oír, is seeking a 13-year prison sentence for Gómez. According to the judge’s findings, Begoña Gómez is alleged to have exploited her position as the Prime Minister’s wife to extend a network of influence and further her professional career at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), where she co-directed a special chair, within the framework of which software was developed with the support of companies such as Google and Indra. Furthermore, according to the judge, Sánchez’s wife is said to have benefited from the support of her assistant at La Moncloa, who assisted her with her private work.