The UCO finds no evidence of influence peddling
The Central Operative Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard has issued a report that refutes the accusations of influence peddling in the businesses of Begoña Gómez, the wife of the president of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez. According to the newspaper El País, the report sent to the judge of the case, Juan Carlos Peinado, confirms that Gómez had no involvement in the rescue of Air Europa during the pandemic, nor did he receive any public subsidy. This contradicts the accusations of corruption and influence peddling presented by Manos Limpias, based on information published in the media, some of which proved to be false.
No binding in public contracts
The UCO report also analyzed the public contracts denounced by the union, but found no indication of Gómez’s involvement in them. Regarding the rescue of Air Europa, the report points out that it has not been possible to verify any influence of Gómez in this decision. Although Gómez was found to have met with an executive from Globalia, which owns Air Europa, at two events, the report finds no evidence that those meetings were related to the bailout decision. Regarding the contests called by the company Red.es, no links have been found between the people who signed the qualifications and Begoña Gómez.
Lack of evidentiary elements
UCO investigators have highlighted the lack of evidentiary elements in the accusations. No evidence has been found to confirm Manos Limpias’ accusations about Gómez’s relationship with public contracts. In addition, no differentiating elements have been found in the evaluation system of the tenders won by a company related to a colleague of Gómez. The report also refutes the accusations about an alleged assembly of a master’s degree by this person.
Reactions and continuity of research
Despite the lack of evidence, the judge in the case has continued the investigation, accepting Vox’s presentation as a popular accusation. Likewise, the Manos Limpias union also remains involved in the case.
