Juan Carlos Barrabés, under investigation in the Begoña Gómez case, speaks out for the first time. He rejects the victim label and describes himself as a necessary part of the judicial process. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of public contracts in Spain.
Juan Carlos Barrabés, a prominent entrepreneur from Benasque, Huesca, has publicly addressed his role in the ongoing judicial investigation involving Begoña Gómez, the wife of Spain’s Prime Minister. In his first interview since being named as an investigated party, Barrabés emphasized that he does not see himself as a victim, but rather as a necessary element in the legal proceedings that have drawn national attention.
The case centers on Barrabés’s professional links to Begoña Gómez, particularly his participation as a lecturer in a master’s program at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, where Gómez was involved. The investigation, led by Judge Juan Carlos Peinado, also examines several public contracts awarded to Barrabés’s companies by Red.es, a state entity. Both the judge and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office are scrutinizing three specific contract awards, raising questions about the transparency of public procurement processes.
Barrabés, who built his reputation in the 1990s with an online outdoor clothing store and later as a pioneer in digital entrepreneurship training, described the personal toll of the investigation. At the time he was formally named in the case, he was recovering from a serious illness—POEMS syndrome—that required a stem cell transplant. Despite his hospitalization, authorities seized his mobile phone, a measure later overturned by the court. He recounted the impact of these actions, including the forced sale of his company for a symbolic euro, leaving him with significant debt.
Addressing the allegations, Barrabés denied any personal or advisory relationship with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, stating that their only interactions occurred in business forums. He also clarified that his connection with Begoña Gómez was strictly professional, limited to a few classes in a sustainability master’s program. He rejected any suggestion of friendship or ongoing contact with Gómez.
Regarding the Red.es contracts, Barrabés explained that his company competed for over 300 public tenders, facing intense competition from larger consultancies, many of which saw their revenues surge due to European funding. He insisted there was no undue influence in the awarding of contracts and denied holding undeclared funds or secret accounts.
The investigation has had far-reaching effects on Barrabés’s personal and professional life. He described the experience as being targeted at a vulnerable moment, yet maintained that he is not seeking to have the case dismissed but wants to prove his innocence through the courts. He also voiced concern about the broader climate of public scrutiny and what he described as the “economy of misfortune” surrounding high-profile legal cases.
This case is part of a wider pattern of judicial and political scrutiny in Spain, where public officials and business figures have faced investigations over contract awards and alleged misconduct. For example, recent developments have seen other high-profile figures, such as María Jesús Montero, publicly address their involvement in similar probes, as highlighted in a related report on the challenges faced by PSOE officials during the Leire case investigation.
Spain’s legal system has increasingly focused on transparency and accountability in public procurement, especially with the influx of European recovery funds in recent years. The Red.es entity, responsible for digital transformation projects, has been under particular scrutiny due to the scale of contracts awarded and the competitive environment among consulting firms. The outcome of the Barrabés case may influence future oversight practices and the reputational risks faced by entrepreneurs involved in public sector projects. As the investigation continues, the case underscores the complex intersection of business, politics, and justice in contemporary Spain.
