Court Clears PM's Brother of Influence Peddling, Bans Him from Public Office for Nine Years

A court in Badajoz found David Sánchez guilty of administrative misconduct on Tuesday and banned him from public office for nine years. Sánchez, brother of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, was cleared of influence peddling. The court ruled that the job created for him as coordinator of public music schools by the socialist-led Badajoz provincial council in July 2017 had not been necessary or urgent and served the particular interest of its assignee.

It found no proof that anyone exerted pressure or influence. Sánchez went on trial in May with 10 other defendants. Nine co-defendants were convicted of administrative misconduct and each received a nine-year ban from public office.

Miguel Ángel Gallardo, former PSOE leader in Extremadura, was found guilty of two counts of misconduct and banned from public office for 18 years. The case began with a complaint filed by Manos Limpias. All verdicts can be appealed.

Pedro Sánchez said in a September television interview that judges were doing politics and politicians were trying to do justice. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the conservative People’s party, called the ruling the third conviction involving the prime minister’s circle. Santiago Abascal of Vox labeled the PSOE a mafia.

Transport minister Óscar Puente said opponents were using courts to achieve what they could not at the ballot box. Begoña Gómez, the prime minister’s wife, faces trial on charges of embezzlement, influence peddling, corruption in business dealings and misappropriation of funds. Former attorney general Álvaro García Ortiz received a two-year ban from his post for leaking confidential information.