Allegations Against Moncloa Advisor: Gómez's Assistant Denies Misconduct
Cristina Álvarez, an advisor in Moncloa, faced scrutiny on Wednesday as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations concerning Begoña Gómez, the wife of the Government president. During her statement, Álvarez vehemently denied any arrangements with the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) or sponsorship companies that would benefit Gómez prior to the establishment of a specific academic chair in October 2020.
According to legal sources cited by Europa Press, Álvarez presented her response solely to her attorney during the 10-minute interrogation. She was the first of seven individuals scheduled for questioning in a case that examines potentially improper relationships involving government officials and academic institutions.
Álvarez was asked whether she had made any arrangements connected to the UCM chair before its official creation. She firmly stated that she did not influence any employees at the UCM or engage with sponsoring firms like Reale or Google to secure personal gains for herself or Gómez. She repeatedly emphasized that she did not exploit her position for personal requests.
Moreover, Álvarez remarked that she was not acquainted with anyone from the UCM or the sponsoring companies prior to signing the agreement for the chair. As the proceedings unfolded, her defense team requested that Judge Juan Carlos Peinado, who presides over the Number 41 Investigation Court in Madrid, inform her of the specific reasons for her investigation, leading to a brief delay in the session.
In December, during a previous session as a witness, Álvarez stated that she had been appointed to assist Gómez with both official and personal matters. She revealed that she had known Gómez prior to her appointment and took the initiative to contact her for a position, bypassing any formal selection process.
Sources present during the interrogation reported that Álvarez acknowledged sending emails concerning Gómez's private activities after the chair was established and that she had discussions with UCM's Vice-Rector for Planning, Coordination, and Institutional Relations, Juan Carlos Doadrio.
Emails presented in the court indicated that she facilitated arrangements for Gómez within the university, although Álvarez insisted she was merely copied on communications intended to organize schedules for the president's wife.
A document from the ongoing investigation detailed an email exchange between members of UCM's Office of Research Results Transparency, which mentioned how to register a domain for a master's program. In these communications, Álvarez appeared to play a role in the coordination, despite maintaining she was acting only peripherally in that capacity.
The inquiry revolves around whether Begoña Gómez misappropriated funds by registering the trademark of a master's program in her name and securing software financed by corporate sponsors. Legal experts speculate that Gomez's actions could potentially lead to charges of malpractice or corruption.
Initially, Judge Peinado ruled out pursuing charges against Álvarez, but subsequently changed her status, now investigating her for alleged involvement in influence peddling and business corruption - accusations that are already being examined against Gómez.
Álvarez is now among four individuals charged after testifying as witnesses, following similar outcomes for others connected to the case, including businessman Juan Carlos Barrabés and UCM Rector Joaquín Goyache.
In an effort to further the investigation, the judge ordered the Civil Guard's Central Operational Unit to collect call records from Álvarez, focusing on communications with Barrabés and other notable companies and institutions related to the case.
In defense of her, attorney José María de Pablo filed an appeal, arguing that the court's actions constituted a trap, claiming it is unclear what specific allegations are directed at her client. 'It is impossible to know what specific fact is attributed to my client,' he stated in a formal document obtained by Europa Press. The unfolding situation continues to develop, drawing significant public attention as the court deliberates the ramifications of these allegations.
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