The Oeiras City Council is subject to new searches by the Polícia Judiciária (PJ) this Thursday morning, June 26, confirmed by an official from this authority to Notícias ao Minuto.
The operation by the PJ is reportedly linked to a potential embezzlement of public funds from municipal entities.
The investigation involves suspicions of crimes such as corruption, malfeasance, or economic participation in a business, related to alleged actions that have once again brought PJ inspectors to the municipality led by Isaltino Morais.
An official from the Oeiras City Council also confirmed to Lusa news agency that the searches are connected to contracts with the municipal company Municípia – Empresa de Cartografia e Sistemas de Informação.
The same source stated that the searches began at 9 a.m. and were still ongoing at 11:40 a.m.
Searches Target Director of Municipal Company Over Million-Euro Transfers
The main individual targeted by the searches is António Fernandes, general director of Municipia SA.
The PJ’s Anti-Corruption Unit operation targets not only the municipal facilities but also the home of the director of the municipal company, which operates in the area of aerial and terrestrial mapping in the Oeiras municipality.
It reportedly involves “suspicious and allegedly unjustified bank transfers, amounting to about five million euros, between different companies over recent years, including transactions through Mozambique.”
Oeiras Subject to Multiple Searches Over the Years
The PJ pointed out that further details will be released in a forthcoming statement.
The municipal facilities in Oeiras have previously been subject to various searches in ongoing proceedings, notably involving the urban planning department through which all construction licenses in the municipality pass.
Mayor Isaltino Morais, who has previously served time for tax fraud and money laundering, was also investigated for violation of duties of neutrality and impartiality and for alleged excessive spending on meals paid with funds from the Oeiras City Council. However, he was never convicted for these recent allegations.
[News in development]
