Investigation Uncovers Emails Linking Advisor to Controversial University Chair

The Civil Guard has submitted an extensive report to the judiciary, revealing a detailed examination of 121 emails exchanged between Begoña Gómez's advisor, Cristina Álvarez, and the Complutense University. These communications, spanning from April 16, 2021, to June 12, 2024, focus largely on the operations of the Competitive Social Transformation chair, co-directed by Gómez, as well as administrative connections to the university. Crucially, the report, which was accessed by EFE this Monday, is part of a separate legal case in which Judge Juan Carlos Peinado is investigating whether Álvarez managed public funds inappropriately in her capacity as an advisor, interfacing with Begoña Gómez’s personal and professional interests. While the investigation is underway, the Prosecutor's Office maintains that there is no evidence of embezzlement. The emails in question predominantly include correspondence between Álvarez and former Complutense University Vice-Rector for Institutional Relations, Juan Carlos Doadrio, alongside various representatives from companies such as Reale, La Caixa, and the Chamber of Commerce. One notable email highlights Álvarez's request for a review of an agreement with the ONCE Foundation, underscoring her role in facilitating collaborations between these entities. Álvarez's involvement extended to numerous agreements with firms such as Mercadona, Indra, and Deloitte, showcasing a consistent mediation effort between the chair and external parties. In one email, she sought to establish a connection with Google, requesting an annual collaboration worth €40,000 for the chair's platform. In another instance detailed in the report, a continuing education agreement with Mindway included stipulations that would allocate 10% of any profits to the TSC chair and place restrictions on the use of course content post-contract termination. The investigation also reveals communications concerning logistical arrangements for the chair's events, including an initiative that requested various suppliers be hired for a congress at the Caixa Fórum in Madrid. Álvarez reached out to Doadrio with an outline of anticipated costs relating to security, cleaning, and other necessary services for the event, indicating her central role in the chair's operational management. Furthermore, the advisory communications reflect requests for legal consultations on potential third-party collaborations involving the chair, although such proposals were ultimately rejected by the university. In a particular message from July 2022, Álvarez sent a résumé of Begoña Gómez to Doadrio alongside queries for the inauguration of a summer course, demonstrating her involvement in personal matters tied to Gómez's professional role. As the investigation continues, the focus on these emails raises numerous questions about the extent of public fund management in relation to academia and the connections between personal and professional spheres within higher education institutions. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2