Intensifying corruption allegations surrounding Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez have prompted yet another official investigation.
On Thursday, the Central Operational Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard, a body specialized in government corruption, searched the offices of the Provincial Council of Badajoz for information on the employment status and work habits of David Sánchez—younger brother of the Spanish premier—who is under investigation for tax fraud, embezzlement, and influence peddling. The case also implicates the president of the Badajoz Provincial Council, Miguel Ángel Gallardo, and the council’s head of the legal support and inspection service of Human Resources.
The investigation stems from accusations brought by the civic anti-corruption group Manos Limpias (Clean Hands), which accuses David Sánchez of receiving a public salary as conductor of the Badajoz Superior Conservatory of Music without going to work. Additionally, it alleges tax fraud against Sánchez for residing in Portugal near the Spanish border, to avoid paying taxes in Spain.
By coincidence, Sánchez Junior’s hideout is in the same city that hosted Victor Aldama, the suspect at the heart of another corruption case. Part of the premier’s circle, Aldama allegedly pocketed illicit funds from government protective facemask purchases during the COVID pandemic, according to Spanish media.
Beatriz Biedma, the judge overseeing the case, also ordered an investigation into the younger Sánchez’ personal finances. The €2 million in assets the prime minister’s brother is sitting on seem “disproportionate” to his income and work life. El Debate reports that the local government department where he is employed has paid him €273,000 since taking him on.
The judge has also ordered the Badajoz provincial council to hand over the employment contract of David Sánchez and information regarding any oversight of his working hours and the provision of a physical office in Spain for him to work in. The last five years of tax returns from the Spanish tax agency were also requested, to analyze if he had tax residence in Spain or Portugal—and whether his employment in the Spanish public entity would be compatible with a fiscal residence in Portugal. She is also examining the sources of David Sánchez’s dramatic increase in income.
The search comes hot on the heels of the first appearance of Begoña Gómez before a judge as part of an investigation into influence peddling by the premier’s wife.
