David Sánchez Sánchez Pérez Castejón, brother of the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, and current head of the Office of Performing Arts of the Provincial Council of Badajoz, will testify this Thursday as investigated in the Court of Instruction number 3 of Badajoz. So will the president of the Provincial Council of Badajoz and secretary general of the PSOE in Extremadura, Miguel Angel Gallardo, for his alleged involvement in irregularities related to his recruitment in the provincial institution.
Judge Beatriz Biedma has summoned David Sanchez to testify at 9:30 am and Miguel Angel Gallardo at 10:00 am. Along with them, three other people are summoned for the same day, including the former director of the Culture area, Elisa Moriano Morales, the former deputy of Culture, Cristina Núñez, and the former director of the Human Resources area, Juana Cintas Calderón.
Investigation for crimes against public administration
The case investigates possible crimes of prevarication, influence peddling, embezzlement and crimes against the Public Treasury in relation to the hiring of David Sanchez. According to the investigation, the hiring could have violated administrative procedures, irregularly benefiting the president’s brother. The process also points to four other people who must appear on January 17, including the former head of the Cultural Activities Service, Manuel Candalija, the former head of the Human Resources Section, Felix Gonzalez, and two former heads of the Culture area, Emilia Parejo and Francisco Martos.
Key witnesses have already testified
Last Wednesday, the former director of the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Badajoz, Evaristo Valentí, and its current director, Rosario Mayoral, as well as the director of the Conservatorio Profesional de Música Juan Vázquez, Yolanda Sánchez, testified as witnesses. Several experts from the Tax Agency also testified, among them its regional inspector, the head of the Regional Tax Management Unit and the Special Delegate in Extremadura.
A case of political impact
The involvement of high profile political figures, such as the brother of President Sánchez and the regional leader of the PSOE, has generated intense media attention. This case could have significant political repercussions, both in Extremadura and nationally, due to the allegations affecting transparency in public management.
