The court has delivered a verdict in which the former bank employee was found guilty of two crimes presented by the Public Prosecutor’s Office: aggravated breach of trust and computer fraud.
The sentence determined was a single five-year prison term, suspended, as the judge explained, based on the defendant’s employment, “solid family support,” “good behavior,” and the fact that customers’ assets were not compromised, but rather the bank’s money.
The judge, Teresa de Sousa, also noted that the defendant showed remorse and confessed to the crimes, although this confession should have been made earlier and more consistently.
The judge highlighted that the defendant admitted to the computer fraud in the first trial session and later confessed to the breach of trust, showing inconsistencies in his statements.
The former banker must repay the 236,000 euros embezzled from the bank, with interest, and attend a gambling addiction prevention program.
The judge emphasized that “200,000 euros is a significant amount” and mentioned that the suspended sentence serves as an opportunity for the defendant in the “hope to maintain a lawful behavior.”
The court pointed out that the former banker, who acknowledged his gambling addiction, was not acquitted, saying he “could have provided a more secure life” for his family.
However, it was noted that “he can still be a good father, a good husband, and a good citizen,” with the outcome depending on his actions.
The Public Prosecutor’s accusation stated that the ex-BCP employee in Madeira’s largest city devised a plan to secure the funds.
During June and July of 2018, he registered withdrawal amounts in the machines higher than the actual figures to conceal the embezzlement.
In the first trial session last November, the 50-year-old former banker admitted to these entries but denied having taken the money.
He claimed his actions were intended to “create chaos” in the bank “without gaining anything” and pointed to internal pressures and disciplinary actions faced at his workplace.
He admitted, “The way I expressed my anger was by causing chaos in the bank,” acknowledging this behavior as “childish.”
At that time, the judge confronted him about significant amounts in his bank accounts, especially before being dismissed from the bank in September 2018; the ex-banker said the funds partly came from an inheritance and a joint venture in sports betting.
Later during the trial, he confessed to the embezzlement, though rejecting the amount of 236,000 euros.
