Juan Carlos Peinado, the judge responsible for Investigation Court number 41 in Madrid, has moved forward with the investigation against Begoña Gómez, the wife of the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, by calling six new witnesses to testify. The judge has summoned four employees and officials of Red.es, an organization under the Ministry for Digital Transformation, who granted public aid to a Temporary Business Union (UTE) linked to businessman Juan Carlos Barrabés. Barrabés had previously participated in a master’s program directed by Gómez. The judge has also called Barrabés and another person related to his companies to testify.
The investigation was initiated in April after a complaint from the pseudo-union Manos Limpias. The judge’s decision to call new witnesses comes after receiving a report from the Central Operating Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard, which did not find evidence of wrongdoing in the actions of the President’s wife. The Public Prosecutor has also requested the case to be closed. The UCO report details the tenders called by Red.es for different training programs in new technologies, two of which were awarded to Barrabés’ company. The bid included 32 recommendation letters from public entities and private companies, one of which was signed by Begoña Gómez, leading to allegations of influence peddling by Manos Limpias.
The Guardia Civil investigated the composition of the contract awarding committee that granted two lots to Barrabés’ company and analyzed the involvement of two members in the subjective evaluations of the bids. The report concludes that no connections have been found between the committee members who assessed the offers and Begoña Gómez. Despite the lack of evidence, the judge wants to continue probing the case. He has called four employees and officials of Red.es to testify on June 6, including David Cierco, the former director-general of Red.es, and his successor, Alberto Martínez Lacambra. Also summoned on that day are Luis Prieto, Ignacio Espejo-Saavedra, and Luis Antonio Martín Bernardos, who was part of Juan Carlos Barrabés’ business group. Barrabés is scheduled to be interrogated on June 7.
The investigation is ongoing despite the lack of evidence connecting Begoña Gómez to any wrongdoing in the awarding of contracts by Red.es to Juan Carlos Barrabés’ company. The judge’s decision to call more witnesses indicates a desire to thoroughly examine the case. The UCO report highlights the significant amount of government contracts received by Barrabés’ companies in recent years, including the lucrative contracts awarded by Red.es. The investigation aims to determine if there was any improper influence involved in the awarding of these contracts.
The involvement of high-ranking officials and executives of Red.es in the investigation suggests a thorough examination of the processes and decisions that led to the awarding of contracts to Barrabés’ company. The judge’s decision to continue investigating the case despite the lack of evidence against Begoña Gómez shows a commitment to uncovering any potential wrongdoing. The testimony of the witnesses called for questioning will shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the awarding of contracts and the alleged influence peddling. The outcome of the investigation will determine whether any legal action will be taken in connection to the case.
