Spanish Princess Charged in Probe of Sports Foundation

Spain’s Princess Cristina was charged Wednesday with tax fraud and money laundering in connection with a long-running investigation of alleged corruption involving her husband’s athletic charity, writes The New York Times.

A Palma-based judge issued the charges less than a week after Cristina’s brother was crowned King Felipe VI following the abdication of their father, King Juan Carlos I. Judge José Castro alleges that the princess’ husband, Iñaki Urdangarin, used his nonprofit Nóos Institute to embezzle millions of euros from regional governments via inflated contracts to put on sports conferences, and that Cristina both assisted her husband and profited from the deals.

Cristina and Mr. Urdangarin, a former Olympic handball player who became the Duke of Palma upon his marriage, have denied any wrongdoing and are expected to appeal the charges. More than a dozen government officials and business associates of Mr. Urdangarin have also been charged in the case.