“It is important to note that this sentence will be subject to an appeal, and therefore, until a final judgment, everyone is entitled to the presumption of innocence,” stated the regional socialist leader in a statement to Lusa.
On Friday, the court sentenced the mayor of Vila Franca do Campo, Ricardo Rodrigues (PS), to a suspended sentence of three years and four months in prison and the loss of office for the crime of misconduct.
This case involves the granting of space at the Rotunda dos Frades to Luís Rodrigues, the mayor’s brother, dating back to 2018 when the Public Prosecutor’s Office opened an inquiry into the matter.
When asked whether this case could affect the image of the Socialist Party in the Azores, Francisco César said no.
“Why? Because there is a conviction? I don’t think so. In every case, there are instances where there are trials, where there are assessments from the Public Prosecutor’s Office and accusations. What should happen is that when there are doubts, the Public Prosecutor’s Office should act. If there is material for it, there should be a trial, and then we should democratically accept the court’s results. Each sentence should make us reflect and think, and based on that, make a decision,” he stated.
Ricardo Rodrigues, elected by the PS, is serving his third and final term as the head of the Vila Franca do Campo city council on São Miguel Island.
In declarations to Lusa, the mayor revealed that and that he plans to announce his intentions at the Municipal Assembly.
“Following the first-instance court decision, which I will naturally appeal, I believe the most suitable place to clarify this matter with the people of Vila Franca and take a definitive stance on this matter is at the next Municipal Assembly, which will take place on April 10 [Thursday],” he announced.
Francisco César mentioned that he spoke with the mayor and agreed with his decision, suggesting it should be announced by the mayor himself.
“The Socialist Party listened, understood, and expressed its position in the most appropriate way, along with the mayor. The mayor communicated his decision to me. What I must do, in agreement, is to respect and give him the opportunity to communicate his course of action first,” he added.
Asked if he believed in the innocence of the Vila Franca do Campo mayor, the regional socialist leader emphasized the principle of presumption of innocence until a judge provides a final decision.
“There will still be an appeal. It won’t be the first or last time that appeals sway in the opposite direction,” he pointed out.
Francisco César acknowledged the work done by Ricardo Rodrigues while leading the Vila Franca do Campo city council.
“He is someone we recognize for his achievements, someone whose abilities and work I acknowledge, and naturally, I wish him good luck for his future,” he stressed.
In February, PS/Açores announced Graça Melo, current vice-president of the Vila Franca do Campo city council, as a candidate for the upcoming municipal elections.
Francisco César conceded that “all events impact elections,” but he believes Graça Melo’s candidacy won’t be affected by this case.
“The vice-president has no involvement, so there won’t be any interpretations regarding this,” he argued.
Besides the mayor of Vila Franca do Campo, the court also convicted the city councilor Carlos Pimentel to a suspended sentence of two years and eight months in prison for the crime of misconduct and ordered the loss of office.
Luís Rodrigues, the brother of the Vila Franca do Campo mayor, received a suspended sentence of three years and four months in prison, also for misconduct.
During the sentence reading, the judge stated that there was “a concerted plan” among the defendants to assign the restaurant space to the family member of the Vila Franca mayor.
The judge mentioned, “there is no doubt that collusion existed” for Luís Rodrigues to operate the restaurant.
The mayor was on trial after the Lisbon Court of Appeal overturned the decision of the Ponta Delgada criminal instruction judge, who, on October 9, 2023, had decided not to indict the socialist for these crimes, thus agreeing with the appeal lodged by the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP).
