Spain's justice minister to face probe over alleged embezzlement
Spain's Justice Minister Félix Bolaños is facing a probe into alleged embezzlement and perjury, after a judge asked the southern European country's Supreme Court to open an investigation on Tuesday.
Judge Juan Carlos Peinado, who is leading the investigation into the case of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's wife Begoña Gómez for alleged influence peddling, requested the probe because Bolaños may have committed these offences in relation to the hiring of an advisor to Gómez.
Judge Peinado is unable to investigate directly as Bolaños — whose full title is minister for the presidency, justice and parliamentary relations — is a member of the government, meaning the judge lacks jurisdiction.
Bolaños testified as a witness before Judge Peinado in April, stating that he did not arrange the appointment of Cristina Álvarez, Gómez's advisor since 2018. According to the judge, Álvarez's work included private tasks, despite her being paid with public funds.
Prior to becoming minister in 2021, Bolaños was secretary general of the presidency, and Judge Peinado is requesting an investigation into whether he directly participated in Álvarez's appointment, according to Spanish media, which cite the judge's request to the Supreme Court.
In addition, Judge Peinado said that Bolaños presented testimony that "does not conform to the truth that he knew", during while under oath on the witness stand in April.
The 41st Court of Instruction of Madrid, headed by Judge Peinado, launched an investigation into Gómez in April 2024, following a complaint by the pressure group Manos Limpias (Clean Hands) which based its case on reports in some Spanish media outlets.
The group, which has a history of filing lawsuits against politicians and political targets, accused Gómez of using her influence to secure sponsors for a university course that she ran. The prime minister has repeatedly condemned the case against his wife as a political smear.
It remains for the Supreme Court to decide whether to proceed and indict the minister.
The judge's request comes at a difficult moment for the PSOE government, which has been battered by corruption allegations of late.
Earlier this month, Santos Cerdán, the PSOE's organisational secretary, resigned after a judge ruled that there was evidence he may have been involved in participating in bribery related to public construction contracts.
Meanwhile, leaked audio recordings are said to show a former PSOE member trying to launch a smear campaign against the Guardia Civil anti-corruption unit.
The government stands by Bolaños, according to sources from Moncloa, who reportedly told RTVE.
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