Wikipedia

Begoña Gómez

For the judoka, see Begoña Gómez (judoka).
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Gómez and the second or maternal family name is Fernández.

María Begoña Gómez Fernández (born 29 January 1975)[1] is a Spanish marketing expert and wife of Pedro Sánchez, the Prime Minister of Spain. Gómez was director of business outsourcing in the Inmark Group until her husband became Prime Minister of Spain in 2018. From 2018 to 2022, she was executive director of the Africa Center of the Institute of Enterprise. Since 2020, she has been the extraordinary Chair of Competitive Social Transformation of the Complutense University of Madrid without having any kind of university studies.

Begoña Gómez
Gómez in 2018
Born
María Begoña Gómez Fernández

(1975-01-29) 29 January 1975 (age 49)[1]
Bilbao, Spain
OccupationMarketing expert
Spouse
​
(m. 2006)​
Children2

Early life and career

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Gómez was born in Bilbao. Her father is Sabiniano Gómez Serrano, and she has one brother, Miguel Gómez Fernández. She spent most of her childhood in Valderas, in the province of León, where she moved not long after her birth.[2] As a young woman, Gómez moved to Madrid to study. Although she indicated in her curriculum vitae that she obtained a bachelor degree in marketing from ESIC University, a private business and marketing school,[3] a journalistic investigation by Okdiario revealed, with documentary evidence and statements by fellow students and the school's director, that she actually followed a marketing programme at M&B School of Marketing and Business, a private entity, and that what she obtained was a diploma, not a degree with official value, so her level of studies is a baccalaureate.[4][5][6][7][8] Subsequently, she took two courses in tertiary education at a nondegree level: one in Business management and another in Business administration, relations, and data management.[3]

Gómez began her career at the Atenea Business Center, of which she was director from 1996 to 1999.[3] In 2000, she started working for the Inmark Group; she worked there and was director of business outsourcing for 18 years and 3 months until her husband became Prime Minister of Spain in 2018.[9] She was also strategy consultant and team training for Spain and Portugal from 1999 to 2018, professor in the Master in Marketing and Commercial Management at EAE Business School from 2009 to 2010, and coordinating partner of the Business Social Transformation WAS working group since 2018.[3]

Following Sanchez' appointment as prime minister, Gómez obtained a University Chair in Competitive Social Transformation and co-director of a new the Master in Competitive Social Transformation, and co-director of the fundraising title for the third sector (UCM and AEFR).[3] She was also a partner of the Spanish Fundraising Association and executive director of the IE Africa Center and was executive director of the Africa Center of the Institute of Enterprise from 2018 to 2022.[3] In 2020, she became the extraordinary Chair of Competitive Social Transformation of the Complutense University of Madrid, a position that she maintained into 2024 alongside her co-director role and teacher of the master's degree.[3][nb 1] She did not hold any political office and maintained a low profile.[3][11]

Investigation into influence trafficking and corruption

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On 24 April 2024, a judge opened an investigation into Gómez for possible influence trafficking and corruption following a complaint by a number of anti-graft organizations, including Manos Limpias,[12] or Clean Hands in English (referencing the 1990s Italian corruption investigative pool Mani pulite),[13][14] an anti-corruption non-governmental organization.[14][15] Led by Miguel Bernad [es], formerly the secretary general of the far-right National Front,[16] it considers itself a trade union but its main activity is acting as a platform pursuing politically-motivated legal cases; for example, they brought the popular accusation against Iñaki Urdangarín and his wife the daughter of the King of Spain, which led to the conviction of the former for corruption offences.[17]

Gómez had signed several letters of recommendation for companies that ended up receiving state aid or contracts.[18] The Central Operative Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard found no evidence that she or Sanchez himself interceded in favour of these companies,[19][20] but some considered her behavior to be ethically doubtful; unlike countries such as the United Kingdom, Spain has no code of ethics defining activities of the relatives of public officials.[18]

At a rally of the Spanish far-right party Vox in Madrid on 19 May 2024, the incumbent Argentinian president Javier Milei called Gómez corrupt, which caused a diplomatic crisis with Argentina, and the Spanish ambassador demanded apologies.[18] The attack on his wife caused Sanchez to take a five-day recess and consider resignation,[21] which he ultimately did not do, writing: "We are absolutely calm. There is nothing behind these accusations, only a cheap hoax created by far-right groups."[11] The education minister and government spokesperson Pilar Alegría expressed surprise at the fact the news of the investigation came out ahead of the 2024 European Parliament election in Spain and stated: "We know that there is absolutely nothing here. What we have here is a mudslinging campaign by the right and the far right."[11][15] Gómez is scheduled to testify before a Madrid court on 5 July 2024 as "an investigated party" about "the alleged offences of corruption in the private sector and influence peddling".[14][22][23]

On June 10, the European Public Prosecutor's Office, which rejected Vox's private accusation because these are not allowed in this type of procedure, demanded that the court assume part of the investigation of the case for alleged corruption, alleging that European funds were involved.[24]

The Complutense University sent the court a report in which it found indications that Begoña Gómez could have committed a crime of misappropriation by having appropriated software financed by the University itself, and by having issued contracts and expenses on behalf of the University without being authorized to do so. The report also indicated the lack of cooperation on the part of the investigated.[25]

On July 15, 2024, Juan Carlos Barrabés, a Spanish businessman linked to Begoña Gomez, testified as a witness. He claimed to have met up to eight times with Begoña Gómez at the Moncloa Palace, and on at least two occasions with President Pedro Sánchez present.[26] On July 19, 2024, Begoña Gómez refused to testify before Judge Peinado. In the subsequent statement of the vice-rectors of the Complutense University, they stated that they had warned Begoña Gómez that she could not put the software financed by the Complutense University in her name. Likewise, the vice-rector Juan Carlos Doadrio declared that it was the rector Joaquín Goyache who directly ordered him to create the chair of Begoña Gómez.[27]

On July 22, the judge summoned President Pedro Sánchez to testify as a witness.[28] Pedro Sánchez refused to testify before the judge, anticipating a possible indictment.[29][30] Vox has denounced Pedro Sánchez and the Minister of Justice for using the State Attorney's Office against the judge investigating his wife.[31]

On October 29, 2024, the judge charged Begoña with alleged crimes of misappropriation and professional trespassing for supposedly having appropriated the software of the chair that was paid for by the Complutense University. [32]

Personal life

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Gómez married Sánchez in 2006. They were married at the Hipódromo de la Zarzuela racecourse in Madrid, in a ceremony officiated by PSOE politician Trinidad Jiménez.[33] They have two daughters, Carlota (born 2005) and Ainhoa (born 2007).[34] Gómez and several government politicians were early positive cases in the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain after they had attended an International Women's Day march on 8 March 2020. That event was criticized for going ahead while the virus was spreading.[35][36] On 2 May 2020, Sánchez confirmed Gómez's recovery.[37]

Notes

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  1. ^ The main scope of the Chair of Competitive Social Transformation of the Complutense University of Madrid is "to accompany companies in the planning and integration of a strategy of social and environmental impact into the business strategy, resulting in a more competitive and better organization on the planet". Gómez stated: "From this Chair, we invite you to think about models that allow us to reset capitalism as Milton Friedman understood it more than 50 years ago. Today, companies are increasingly aware of the need to connect with society because it makes them stronger, more competitive, and attractive to their stakeholders. The time has come to generate social impact linked to business, to measure it and maximize it."[10]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Caso Begoña: quién es quién en la trama" (in Spanish). La Gaceta.es. 5 June 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  2. ^ Albert, María (29 April 2024). "Quién es Begoña Gómez, mujer de Pedro Sánchez: su trabajo, cómo conoció al presidente y por qué la investigan". Diario ABC (in Spanish). ISSN 2445-2637. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Quintanilla, Berta F. (24 April 2024). "Estos han sido los trabajos de Begoña Gómez y su nivel de estudios". El HuffPost (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  4. ^ Cuesta, C.; Sanz, S.; Sela, L. (11 August 2018). "Ésta es la academia en la que Begoña Gómez logró el título que presenta como una licenciatura". Okdiario (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  5. ^ Ruiz, María (10 April 2024). "Begoña Gómez vendió su curso en Marketing como una licenciatura, pero es de una academia". Okdiario (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  6. ^ Sanz, Segundo (6 May 2024). "Éste es el título de la academia de marketing de Begoña Gómez que demuestra su licenciatura 'fake'". Okdiario (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  7. ^ González, Fernán (15 May 2024). "El director de la licenciatura 'fake' de Begoña Gómez a Okdiario: «No era un título oficial»". Okdiario (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  8. ^ Basteiro, Daniel (14 August 2018). "El misterioso currículum de Begoña Gómez: ni rastro de sus publicitadas titulaciones académicas". El Español. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  9. ^ "Begoña Gómez, esposa de Pedro Sánchez, investigada por presunto tráfico de influencias y corrupción". Marca (in Spanish). 24 April 2024. ISSN 2340-0595. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  10. ^ "Máster de Transformación Social Competitiva: Los ODS como estrategia". Cátedra (in Spanish). 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  11. ^ a b c Wilson, Joseph (4 June 2024). "Spanish court summons prime minister's wife in corruption probe. Government alleges a smear campaign". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  12. ^ Marraco, Manuel (24 April 2024). "Un juzgado de Madrid investiga a la mujer de Pedro Sánchez por tráfico de influencias y corrupción en los negocios". El Mundo (in Spanish). ISSN 1697-0179. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  13. ^ "Lo 'pseudosindacato' di estrema destra che ha denunciato la moglie di Pedro Sánchez in Spagna". Il Post (in Italian). 25 April 2024. ISSN 2610-9980. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  14. ^ a b c Jopson, Barney (4 June 2024). "Pedro Sánchez defiant as wife is placed under formal investigation". Financial Times. ISSN 0307-1766. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  15. ^ a b Starcevic, Starcevic (4 June 2024). "Spanish prime minister's wife summoned to court over corruption allegations". Politico. ISSN 2381-1595. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  16. ^ Kirby, Paul (24 April 2024). "Spain's PM Pedro Sánchez halts public duties as wife faces inquiry". BBC News. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  17. ^ Salvador, Antonio (12 June 2018). "Manos Limpias pide el ingreso en prisión de Iñaki Urdangarin por riesgo de fuga". El Independiente (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  18. ^ a b c González, Ricard (19 May 2024). "El 'caso Begoña Gómez': la investigación y las sospechas detrás de la crisis diplomática desatada entre Javier Milei y Pedro Sánchez". La Nación (in Spanish). ISSN 0325-0946. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  19. ^ Romero, José Manuel (21 May 2024). "La Guardia Civil no aprecia indicios de delito en la actuación de la mujer del presidente". El País (in Spanish). ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  20. ^ Gorse, Mathieu (4 June 2024). "Spanish PM's wife to testify in graft probe". Associated France-Presse. Retrieved 7 June 2024 – via Yahoo News Singapore.
  21. ^ "Spain's Prime Minister Sánchez says he'll continue in office after days of reflection". Newsday. 29 April 2024. ISSN 0278-5587. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  22. ^ "Spanish PM's wife summoned to testify in graft probe". Le Monde. 4 June 2024. ISSN 0395-2037. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  23. ^ Jones, Sam (5 June 2024). "Spanish PM hits out at rivals after wife summoned over corruption allegations". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  24. ^ Marraco, Manuel S. (10 June 2014). "La Fiscalía Europea comunica al juez Peinado que asume el 'caso Begoña Gómez' y deja en el aire su citación como investigada". El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  25. ^ "La Universidad Complutense pide al juez que investigue a Begoña Gómez por "apropiación indebida" tras hallar "indicios" en una investigación interna". El Mundo (in Spanish). 17 July 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  26. ^ "El empresario Barrabés declara ante el juez que se reunió dos veces con Pedro Sánchez en La Moncloa". Agencia EFE (in Spanish). 15 July 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  27. ^ "Begoña Gómez se niega a declarar ante el juez que la investiga por tráfico de influencias y corrupción en los negocios". El Mundo (in Spanish). 19 July 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  28. ^ "El juez cita a Pedro Sánchez a declarar como testigo el próximo 30 de julio en la investigación contra su esposa". Europa Press (in Spanish). 22 July 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  29. ^ "Pedro Sánchez se niega a declarar contra su esposa". La Razón de México (in Spanish). 30 July 2014.
  30. ^ "La sombra de su posible imputación sobrevuela la declaración de Sánchez". ABC (in Spanish). 30 July 2014.
  31. ^ "Vox se querella contra Pedro Sánchez, Félix Bolaños y el abogado general del Estado". ABC (in Spanish). 31 July 2014.
  32. ^ "El juez Peinado imputa a Begoña Gómez por otros dos delitos: ¿qué ha pasado?". El País (spanish).
  33. ^ Juárez, Ana S.; Villar, Cote (12 July 2014). "Trinidad Jiménez casó a Eduardo Madina y a Pedro Sánchez". El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  34. ^ Pedrejón, Isabel (24 April 2024). "Pedro Sánchez y Begoña Gómez, la historia de amor que empezó en una fiesta: 'No sabes la tabarra que le di'". El Mundo (in Spanish). ISSN 1697-0179. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  35. ^ "Wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez tests positive for the coronavirus". El País. 15 March 2020. ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  36. ^ García de Blas, Elsa (23 March 2020). "The Spanish politicians in coronavirus quarantine". El País. ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  37. ^ "Sánchez revela que su mujer ya está 'recuperada' de la covid-19". Heraldo de Aragón. 2 May 2020. ISSN 1577-290X. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
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