While the Begoña case grows with a new line of investigation into the fraudulent use that Begoña Gómez, the wife of the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, would have been making of Presidency advisors for her private business interests, the Central Operational Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard has put in the spotlight in an investigation the hiring of the president’s brother by the Provincial Council of Badajoz as first coordinator of Activities of the music conservatories of the Area of Culture and then as director of the Office of Performing Arts. In the framework of the judicial investigation for possible crimes of prevarication, influence peddling and embezzlement, the UCO has pointed out in a report that the creation of the position held by David Sanchez, brother of the president of the Government, could respond to “different priorities” to those initially raised by the conservatories of Badajoz. In other words, a tailor-made suit, since the position was not necessary, at least not as much as others that, however, were postponed. This report, to which Europa Press has had access and has been sent to the Court of Instruction Number 3 of Badajoz, is part of the investigation for alleged irregular hiring.
Creation of the position under suspicion
The report details that the position of coordinator of Activities of the music conservatories of the Area of Culture, held by Sanchez since 2017, and its subsequent evolution to director of the Office of Performing Arts, did not respond to priority needs expressed by the conservatories consulted. According to the UCO, internal communications suggest that the real priorities were to cover other shortages, such as the hiring of an accompanying piano teacher or staff for the library, which was closed due to lack of personnel.
Analysis of e-mails
The UCO analyzed several emails that reveal contradictions in the justifications for the creation of the position. In an October 2016 email, the director of the Bonifacio Gil Conservatory expressed doubts about the reasons behind this new position, while another email mentions that the director of the Area of Culture asked the conservatories to elaborate a justifying memory for such a position. However, initially, the creation of the position was not included in the budget proposals.
Subpoenas and required documentation
Judge Beatriz Biedma, who is investigating the case, has summoned David Sanchez and the president of the Provincial Council of Badajoz, Miguel Angel Gallardo, to testify as investigated on January 9. In addition, she has requested documentation on the procedure for the approval and modification of the relation of jobs, key to determine whether the changes made in the position respected the regulations.
Begoña Case
The president’s wife is being investigated for alleged crimes of influence peddling, business corruption, misappropriation and intrusion.
