The popular prosecution in the long-running investigation into Begoña Gómez, wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has requested a prison sentence of up to 24 years if she is convicted on the alleged corruption-related offences levelled against her.
In written submissions reported today by Spanish media outlets, the anti-corruption activist group Hazte Oír — acting as the lead popular prosecutor in the case — called for the maximum combined penalties across the offences it alleges Gómez committed.
Judge Juan Carlos Peinado of Madrid’s Instruction Court No 41 concluded the two-year investigation in a ruling made public in mid-April 2026.
He has proposed that Gómez stand trial on counts including alleged influence peddling, corruption in business dealings, embezzlement of public funds and misappropriation (apropiación indebida).
The case began in April 2024 after a complaint by the group Manos Limpias. It centres on Gómez’s involvement in a chair and master’s programmes at Madrid’s Complutense University, which she co-directed.
Investigators allege she used the influence derived from her position as the Prime Minister’s wife to obtain advantages, shape public decisions in favour of the programmes and use personal and public resources to benefit private business interests, notably those linked to businessman Juan Carlos Barrabés.
Additional allegations include the use of public resources and her Moncloa assistant for private professional activities, as well as possible misappropriation involving software or branding.
The judge has also charged Gómez’s personal assistant, Cristina Álvarez, and businessman Barrabés in connection with the case.
Gómez worked for nearly two decades at the Inmark Group, including through its absorbed subsidiary Task Force, a consultancy specialising in outsourced commercial teams, fundraising for NGOs and services in sectors such as banking, insurance and energy.
She rose to the role of director of external consultancy for Spain and Portugal, managing large sales teams.
In July 2018, shortly after her husband became Prime Minister, she requested and was granted a leave of absence from the company.
According to submissions by the popular prosecution, the move was made “with the aim of accessing circles of power and influence” and enabling a radical shift in her professional activity.
She retained her status as a shareholder in the group until June 2022 and the company has continued to hold her position open.
Inmark has received various public contracts and subsidies in subsequent years.
Gómez, the Government and the public prosecutor’s office have strongly denied any wrongdoing, describing the investigation as politically motivated and lacking sufficient evidence.
Moncloa has expressed “absolute indignation” at the judge’s decision to proceed and has criticised aspects of the inquiry. The defence and Fiscalía have repeatedly sought to have the case shelved.
The proceedings have become deeply politicised in Spain.
Critics on the Right see the case as emblematic of favouritism and influence peddling at the highest levels, while supporters of the Government, including elements on the Left, have portrayed the judicial actions as a form of “lawfare” aimed at destabilising Sánchez’s minority coalition.
The next stage involves possible appeals against the decision to send the case to trial. Because alleged embezzlement charges are involved, the matter would likely be heard by a jury court. No trial date has been set.
A Spanish investigating judge has formally charged Begoña Gómez, the wife of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
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