Spanish PM's brother banned from public office for nine years for misconduct

The brother of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has been banned from holding public office for nine years after a court found him guilty of administrative misconduct for securing a tailor-made public-sector job. David Sánchez, a composer and orchestra conductor, was acquitted of the more serious charge of influence peddling, which could have led to prison Source: euronewsen; theguardian.

The court in Badajoz ruled that the position of coordinator of music conservatories, created in 2016–2017 by the socialist-led provincial council, was “neither necessary nor urgent” and was designed to serve David Sánchez’s private interest rather than the public interest. Nine co-defendants also received nine-year bans, while the former PSOE leader in Extremadura, Miguel Ángel Gallardo, was banned for 18 years Source: theguardian.

The case adds to a series of corruption investigations surrounding Sánchez’s inner circle, including his wife Begoña Gómez and former minister José Luis Ábalos. Sánchez has accused political rivals and media of a “harassment and bullying operation” against his family. The verdicts can be appealed Source: euronewsen; theguardian.