The delegate of the Government in Madrid, Francisco Martín, stated this afternoon that he has «a very clear conscience», trusts that he will clarify everything requested by the judge next Wednesday, and believes that the judicial case in which he is involved «will come to nothing.»
In a brief press conference held at the Delegation headquarters, Martín explained his situation and answered questions from journalists after Judge Juan Carlos Peinado, in charge of the so-called ‘Begoña Gómez case’, admitted a complaint filed by Vox and summoned him as a suspect for an alleged embezzlement of public funds by participating «apparently» in the hiring of the advisor from La Moncloa for the wife of the President of the Government «due to his position as Secretary General of the Presidency of the Government in July 2021.»
The current representative of the central government in Madrid, who noted that he has been in this position for over two years, confirmed that around 6 pm on Tuesday he received a notification ordered by Court number 41 with a summons and a CD with the complaint from Vox, in which he was called to testify on May 14 at 1:30 pm.
«I have a very clear conscience and I do not feel concerned about this procedure. I trust that my statement next Wednesday will dispel any doubts. I confirm my willingness to cooperate with Justice and I am convinced that all this noise will end up being nothing,» he said.
Martín also wanted to thank «the expressions of affection, support, and solidarity» he has received in the last hours from colleagues and friends «and share it with honest people – without wanting to mention anyone in particular – who have been in this situation for many months that I am now experiencing,» referring to his indictment in the so-called ‘Begoña case.’
The delegate mentioned that he only has «brief information» about the police matter and that they are still looking for a CD player in the institution to access more data. He emphasized that he had responsibilities in La Moncloa: «I always fulfilled my duty and never strayed from it. That has been my work ethic.»
Francisco Martín also expressed «confidence and collaboration» with the Justice system and reiterated that he will testify and provide the necessary explanations to the judge. In fact, to maintain that commitment to the magistrate, he chose not to answer specific questions about the case from the journalists.
«My message is that all this noise will end and it will end up being nothing. We have been attending a succession of summons for months, and this time it’s my turn. It’s okay, I will appear, give the necessary explanations, and cooperate with Justice. Thank you for the expressions of support, and to all of them, all my love and gratitude,» he concluded.
THE JUDICIAL DECISION
The judicial decision, to which Europa Press has had access, in which the head of the Instruction Court number 41 of Madrid specifies that he includes this complaint in the case investigating the President of the Government’s wife for alleged influence peddling, business corruption, misappropriation of a brand, and intrusiveness.
In this regard, Judge Peinado explains that the complaint from Santiago Abascal focuses on the appointment and duties of La Moncloa advisor Cristina Álvarez – who is under investigation in the case – to assist the President of the Government’s wife, Begoña Gómez, and the involvement that Francisco Martín could have had in these events «due to his position as Secretary General of the Presidency of the Government in July 2021.»
The judge states that, according to the complaint, he was the «responsible and superior hierarchical superior of Cristina Álvarez» and that Vox attributes to him, as well as Álvarez and Gómez, «the commission of the crimes of embezzlement of public funds, influence peddling, and Administrative malfeasance.»
After this, he explains that the crime of embezzlement of public funds includes the criminal concept of funds, which is «broad» and covers, «without being exhaustive,» issues such as lottery tickets, the capital of public companies, movable property, and in general any kind of movable property with economic value, money, negotiable instruments, or other goods or rights that are part of a public asset.
He also adds as a relevant point for the case that the crime also includes «any goods and labor force, including, therefore, those cases in which a municipal employee is used during hours when they should be working at the City Hall, and a private individual benefits from that work.»
In this sense, the magistrate explains that neither Begoña Gómez nor advisor Cristina Álvarez can be accused of embezzlement.
He clarifies that, although «there are indications of this possible crime, […] regarding the participation as an author, accomplice, or necessary collaborator, it is not perceived to what extent the recipient of the appointment, in carrying out the work assigned to her and receiving the assigned amount, may have any criminal responsibility in the alleged embezzlement.»
«The same must be said of the accused, Begoña Gómez, who, without indications of participating in the appointment or in the payment of Cristina Álvarez’s emoluments, merely uses her professional services, albeit for personal purposes, no criminal responsibility can be perceived in these acts,» he states in his decision.
However, regarding Martín, he believes that it is appropriate to admit the complaint «for his apparent involvement in the appointment of Cristina Álvarez for the performance of private functions for Begoña Gómez, funded by the General State Budget, and therefore with funds of a public nature.»
FUENTE
