David Sanchez, the brother of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, has been sentenced to a nine-year ban from holding public office after being found guilty of participating in the abuse of public office in connection with his appointment as Coordinator of Conservatory Activities at the Badajoz Provincial Council.
The Badajoz Provincial Court ruled that David Sanchez was complicit in the misuse of public office and imposed a nine-year disqualification from public service.
Although prosecutors had sought a three-year prison sentence, David Sanchez was acquitted of that charge. He has the right to appeal the ban from public office.
‘He Used His Influence’
The high-profile case, which drew significant attention because of the prime minister’s position, centered on allegations that David Sanchez, a musician who was unemployed in 2017, used his influence to secure the senior-level position of Coordinator of Conservatory Activities at the Badajoz Provincial Council.
According to the allegations, the position was created by the council at a time when 10 other applications had been rejected, and David Sanchez improperly used his connections to obtain the job, resulting in administrative irregularities.
Investigation Into the Prime Minister’s Wife Continues
Meanwhile, the investigation into Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s wife, Begona Gomez, remains ongoing. She is facing allegations of influence peddling, business-related corruption, embezzlement, and abuse of office.
Judge Juan Carlos Peinado, who is overseeing the investigation and decided to move forward with the case, previously ordered the temporary confiscation of Begona Gomez’s passport, citing a flight risk. As a result, she was unable to accompany her husband to the NATO Summit in Ankara.