Madrid Government Delegate Denies Role in Controversial Appointment of Adviser to Prime Minister's Wife
Francisco Martín, the Government Delegate in Madrid, has categorically denied his involvement in the appointment of Cristina Álvarez as an advisor to Begoña Gómez, the spouse of Spain's Prime Minister, during a court appearance before Judge Juan Carlos Peinado. This appointment, made in 2018, has drawn scrutiny, leading to Martín being called as an investigative witness.
Emerging from the courthouse, Martín expressed his feelings of calmness regarding the ongoing investigation, stating, "Everything will end up being nothing." His testimony lasted for about five minutes, during which he responded solely to questions posed by his lawyer, as per legal sources.
Judge Peinado is probing allegations concerning Begoña Gómez and several other crimes connected to the appointment made when Martín served as chief of staff to Félix Bolaños, the Secretary General of the Presidency, who is currently a minister. In a further twist, Martín subsequently became the Secretary General of the Presidency—bearing hierarchal responsibility over Cristina Álvarez.
Also testifying was Raúl Díaz, who, at the time of Álvarez's appointment in 2018, was the personnel coordinator at Moncloa. According to sources present in the courtroom, Díaz confirmed he had no role in Cristina Álvarez's hiring, a claim echoed by Martín as he briefed the media outside the judicial premises. There, he stated, "I have confirmed to the magistrate that at no time did I participate in that appointment for which I was summoned as an investigated party."
Martín further emphasized his commitment to cooperate with the judicial process, expressing faith in the country's legal framework and insisting there was no wrongdoing in relation to Álvarez’s hiring. "Everything will end up being nothing because there is nothing," he concluded.
Judge Peinado also explored additional aspects of the case, emphasizing connections to financial backing received by companies like Google, Indra, and Minsait—allegedly linked to a platform within the Master’s program co-directed by Begoña Gómez at the Complutense University. Witnesses including Miguel Rodríguez Bueno from Google and Luis Abril Mazuelas from Minsait provided testimony related to this investigation, which aims to probe further into financial influences surrounding the controversial matters linked to the Prime Minister's family.
The unfolding situation highlights growing tensions within the political landscape as scrutiny over governmental appointments and potential conflicts of interest intensifies. As the investigation continues, many will be watching closely to see if any significant developments arise from this intricate web of administration and potential favoritism.
Related Sources: