Begoña Gómez’s lawyer, Antonio Camacho, has submitted a request to Judge Juan Carlos Peinado this Wednesday, asking to suspend the scheduled testimony for 11 September and to set a new date. This is due to a prior obligation to attend another hearing as a counsel in Arona (Tenerife). The document, which Europa Press has accessed, was sent on 21 August to the presiding judge of Instruction Court Number 41 in Madrid, following Gómez’s indictment for a malfeasance charge relating to the hiring of Cristina Álvarez as her personal advisor in Moncloa.
“This lawyer has a prior commitment, as indicated by the order of 18 August, to appear on 11 September before the Instruction Court 1 of Arona,” states the request submitted by the defence. Consequently, they request that “the suspension of the witness statements scheduled for 11 September be agreed upon, and a new date be established for their execution.”
Along with the request, the lawyer has attached the order issued by the Canary Islands court confirming his appointment as counsel for witness statements scheduled on 11 September at 10:30 hours.
On 18 August, Judge Peinado indicted Gómez for malversation and summoned her to appear again following the Madrid Provincial Court’s determination to refine the investigation and establish the grounds for responsibility that could be attributed to the advisor—although he dismissed malversation as a crime that could be attributed to her.
Until now, Pedro Sánchez’s wife had been under investigation for alleged crimes including influence peddling, business corruption, misappropriation of trademark rights, and intrusion. Judge Peinado’s latest decision signifies a shift in his stance, given that he previously disregarded Gómez’s responsibility in appointing her advisor last May.
