At the center of the high-profile investigation is the wife of the Spanish Prime Minister, Begoña Gómez. Complutense University of Madrid (Universidad Complutense de Madrid, UCM) has officially stated that €113,509 was spent on the development of the software implicated in the case. This amount includes not only payments to technical specialists, but also contracts with the major consulting firm Deloitte. The entire affair has become surrounded by numerous details that trouble both the public and the judicial authorities.
At the heart of the matter is the fate of a digital tool developed to support small and medium-sized enterprises. The program was intended to assess companies’ levels of environmental sustainability and equality, as well as to issue special certificates to those meeting established criteria. However, after development was completed, a similar product unexpectedly appeared on a website belonging to Begoña Gómez, where free access was granted to all interested parties.
Money and contracts
The university’s report submitted to the court details all expenditures. Over €78,000 went to two contracts with Deloitte Consulting SLU, which oversaw the development and implementation of the digital solution. The remainder covered the salaries of the university’s technical specialists and several minor contracts, bringing the total to €113,509. All this information now forms the basis for potential civil lawsuits the university is preparing against Begoña Gómez.
Questions arise not only about the amount, but also about the very fact of an almost identical software product appearing on a private platform. The website transformatsc.org, linked to Gómez, uses a name strikingly similar to the official name of the department she headed until 2024. This situation led the public organization Hazte Oír to file a lawsuit, accusing the prime minister’s spouse of unlawful appropriation of intellectual property.
Judicial prospects
Judge Juan Carlos Peinado is considering the case under several articles, including misappropriation of property. The university, in turn, insists it has suffered significant harm and is seeking compensation. If Begoña Gómez is found guilty, she could face not only criminal but also civil liability. However, for now, neither side is making bold statements, preferring to act through official documents and legal procedures.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that this involves taxpayers’ money. All software development expenses were covered by the state budget, which only amplifies public reaction. In Spain, such cases always spark intense emotions, especially when they involve well-known names and large sums.
Unanswered questions
It remains unclear how exactly the software ended up on a private website and who decided to make it freely available. The university maintains that it did not authorize such actions, and the appearance of the software outside academic structures has raised questions. Nevertheless, Begoña Gómez’s defense insists that no crime was committed, emphasizing that the program generated no income and was accessible to anyone.
Meanwhile, the legal proceedings continue, and the public is closely following every new twist in the story. The issue of who controls the results of scientific research is once again in the spotlight. It seems likely that this story will make headlines in Spanish newspapers more than once.
