Prime Minister's Wife Skips Court Appearance Amid Embezzlement Investigation

Begoña Gómez, the wife of the Prime Minister, has opted not to appear in court at Plaza de Castilla this Saturday, where Judge Juan Carlos Peinado was set to clarify her indictment in a case scrutinizing alleged embezzlement linked to her advisor, Cristina Álvarez. Sources from La Moncloa informed El País that Gómez deemed her presence unnecessary for this particular procedure. The magistrate had previously suggested that Gómez face trial by a jury due to her involvement in potential crimes committed by public officials during the discharge of their responsibilities. Government sources relayed to EFE on Saturday that she, along with the Government Delegate in Madrid, Francisco Martín, who is also under investigation, did not attend the hearing. The hearing, scheduled for 6:00 PM, was planned to adhere to Article 25 of the jury law, which entails defining the indictment of those under investigation. This process allows the accused to either seek dismissal of the case or request further investigative measures. Legal defenses refer to a Prosecutors Office circular from December 29, 1995, coinciding with the year the jury law was enacted; this document suggests that only lawyers are required to be present at such hearings. As such, Gómez and her advisor’s non-appearance aligns with the standard procedure, as noted in official communications. The regulations state that the presence of the accused is not deemed essential, given that no investigative actions occur during the hearing and, thus, representatives do not need to testify. In a notable development, the judge is expected to summon all relevant parties again to formalize the indictment, conducting a meeting that includes the Prosecutors Office and the accusers as mandated by law. This session follows a significant six-month investigation initiated by Peinado, which aimed to probe the appointment of Cristina Álvarez. Initially, in May, the judge decided to look into Government Delegate Francisco Martín Aguirre for embezzlement. However, it wasn’t until August 18—upon the emergence of new evidence—that the inquiry expanded to include Gómez and Álvarez. As the legal proceedings unfold, the request for a jury trial signifies a serious attempt to engage public scrutiny over the allegations facing the Prime Minister's wife. The jury system has been a part of Spain’s legal framework for three decades, and Judge Peinado's current stance indicates an intention for a thorough examination of the charges of public money embezzlement against Gómez. Stay informed with El Huffpost for further updates. You can follow all news on our mobile application, available for both Android and iOS. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2