Judge cancels hearing in Begoña Gómez case, postponing key testimonies

Monday 28 April 2025 - 17:30

By: Dakir Madiha

Judge cancels hearing in Begoña Gómez case, postponing key testimonies

In a significant development within the ongoing investigation related to the ‘Koldo case,’ Judge Juan Carlos Peinado has indefinitely canceled the scheduled confrontation between María Cristina Álvarez Rodríguez, an advisor to Moncloa, and Alfredo González, the former high-ranking official who appointed her in the summer of 2018. This decision comes after Álvarez informed the court of a prior commitment in the United States from May 10 to 17.

The cancellation means that the court will now wait to hear from Raúl Díaz Silva, the personal aide to the Prime Minister, who is still set to testify on May 14. Following this, Judge Peinado will assess whether a face-to-face meeting between González and Álvarez is necessary, given that both parties are involved in allegations concerning public procurement contracts during the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly those linked to Koldo García Izaguirre.

During a recent session of the Senate's investigation committee, Álvarez defended her position, asserting that there were no discrepancies between her account and that of González regarding the hiring practices in question. Her defense team emphasized that the proposed confrontation was unwarranted, as both versions appeared to align.

This inquiry aims to clarify potential misappropriation of public funds related to Álvarez's role within the government. Notably, Álvarez has been identified as a "collaborator" in a chair she co-directed at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), raising further questions about the intertwining of public duties and private interests.

As the investigation unfolds, the implications of these testimonies could have lasting impacts on public trust and accountability within governmental operations.