Overview
- A court in Badajoz convicted David Sanchez of administrative misconduct on Tuesday and banned him from holding public office and voting rights for nine years.
- Judges said the coordinator post for music conservatories was created without genuine administrative need in 2016 and was later altered to fit David Sanchez’s interests.
- The ruling cleared David Sanchez of influence peddling, meaning prosecutors did not prove he used improper influence to obtain the role.
- The decision is likely to be appealed and increases political pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez by adding to recent legal setbacks for figures close to him.
- The case stems from actions by the provincial council of Badajoz when it was governed by the PSOE and follows other probes into the prime minister’s circle, including a recent long sentence for a former minister and a separate order for his wife to stand trial.