The Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP) announced in a statement published today on the website of the Regional Department of Investigation and Penal Action (DIAP) of Évora that charges have been filed in this inquiry.
The individuals involved include “a former president of a parish council in the Municipality of Alandroal and the manager of a commercial company related to IT services, accused of embezzlement by a political officeholder and document falsification,” the statement reads.
The accused, the former parish council president, whose identity was not disclosed by the MP, and the commercial company, also unnamed, were additionally charged with computer-related fraud.
According to the prosecution, “between April and July 2021, at the request of a local businessman, the official provided about 60,000 euros from the parish council’s funds to the businessman and his IT company.”
The events cited in the charges occurred during the term from 2017 to 2021, preceding the current administration.
“The businessman fabricated several false documents in the name of the accused company, which the former president used to cover up and provide an appearance of contractual legality to various bank transfers made from the parish council’s account to the account of that company,” states the prosecution.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office reported calculating “illegal gains amounting to 50,251.54 euros, which harmed the parish council, and has requested that the accused be ordered to repay this amount to the State.”
There is currently a period for a possible request for an investigation, which, if not requested, will lead to the case being sent for trial, the MP noted.
The investigation was led by the DIAP Regional of Évora, with assistance from the Judicial Police, specifically the National Unit Against Corruption.
