TAP is under investigation today in connection with a compensation paid to a former executive of the airline, the Public Prosecutor’s Office announced. The searches have also been confirmed by the Judiciary Police (PJ).
The searches include a law office in Lisbon and “searches in computer equipment of the Government’s Secretariat-General,” according to a statement from the Lisbon District Attorney’s Office.
There are suspicions of mismanagement, undue receipt or offer of advantage, economic participation in business, and abuse of power.
The inquiry is led by the Department of Investigation and Penal Action (DIAP) in Lisbon and is investigating “facts related to the allocation of compensation when a board member resigned from TAP’s Executive and Administrative Board.” This concerns Alexandra Reis.
Is Pedro Nuno Santos Also Investigated?
A report from a national journal indicates that former minister Pedro Nuno Santos and his then secretary of state Hugo Mendes are under investigation as the airline’s oversight was under Santos’s purview. The report highlights that neither was subjected to searches. Another media outlet added that their electronic communications during the entire process were examined. There is no information on whether either is suspected of any crime.
According to the statement from the prosecution, today’s searches aim at “seizing documents” and are “led by public prosecutors and a magistrate, assisted by PJ inspectors.”
The PJ also mentioned, through a statement, compliance with “three search and seizure warrants and IT searches in a company and a law office in Lisbon,” confirming an investigation into “computer equipment of the Government’s Secretariat-General.”
The searches involve 20 inspectors and forensic police specialists, as well as public prosecutors and a magistrate.
The Controversial Compensation to Alexandra Reis
In December 2022, TAP was embroiled in controversy due to paying 500,000 euros in compensation to former executive Alexandra Reis for her early departure from the company.
On May 31, 2023, the executive affirmed she repaid the company 266,412.76 euros on that day, “the total net amount specified by TAP.”
TAP Assures Cooperation with Authorities
When contacted, TAP assured its cooperation with the authorities in all investigations and declined to comment on judicial processes.
“TAP does not comment on judicial processes and always collaborates with authorities in any investigations,” responded the airline in writing.
[News updated at 12:28]
