The account manager responsible for José Sócrates’ bank account at Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD) from 2009 to 2014 testified on Thursday during the Operation Marquês trial, providing details about the former prime minister’s financial activities. Teresa Veríssimo stated that Sócrates’ mother transferred “tens of thousands of euros” to her son, who frequently was unaware of the exact amount of money he had.
Regarding the transfers conducted by the ex-governor’s mother, the account manager clarified that they were “normal, in the sense that she would talk to me, request the execution of the transfer, and we would proceed”, she narrated, adding that the sums involved were “tens of thousands of euros”, without specifying when these occurred.
When questioned by the Public Prosecutor’s Office about the origin of these funds, Teresa Veríssimo emphasized that the funds were never deposited in cash and linked them to “the sale of one or two properties”.
The banker also claimed that the former government official “normally did not” have awareness of his account balance, with instances where the balance limits and credit card ceilings were reached or exceeded.
“I remember him calling me to complain that his card wasn’t working […] and we eventually concluded that there was no mistake; the limit had been exhausted”, she recounted.
José Sócrates’ mother transferred “tens of thousands of euros” to her son, who was frequently unaware of the amount of money he possessed in his bank account, testified a Caixa Geral de Depósitos (CGD) manager today in court.
Lusa | 13:37 – 23/10/2025
Also today, the former housemaid of José Sócrates’ mother testified in court, stating she did not recall handing over cash to her boss more than a decade ago at the former prime minister’s request.
In the indictment of the Operation Marquês case, the Public Prosecutor’s Office cites these transactions to argue that the funds from businessman Carlos Santos Silva actually belonged to José Sócrates, who managed resources spread among close associates for various personal expenses.
Questioned on Thursday during the trial about whether she ever received money from the ex-official to deliver to his mother or brother, Maria Rita Gomes, employed by Maria Adelaide Monteiro from 1998 to late 2014, replied that she did not remember such events.
Her response remained unchanged even after being confronted with phone intercepts in which, in August 2014, José Sócrates and his mother discussed “papers,” allegedly a code, according to the accusation, for delivering four thousand euros to the elder via the domestic worker.
The worker, testifying as a witness, countered by revealing that Maria Adelaide Monteiro occasionally asked her to deposit money into a bank account belonging to one of José Sócrates’ brothers, who passed away in 2011.
During her testimony, Maria Rita Gomes, who also cleaned the homes of José Sócrates and his brother, affirmed she never saw envelopes with money in the former prime minister’s apartment.
The former housemaid of José Sócrates’ mother said today in court she does not recall handing over cash to her employer more than a decade ago at the former prime minister’s request (2005-2011).
Lusa | 16:11 – 23/10/2025
José Sócrates is charged with 22 crimes (3 of corruption)
José Sócrates, aged 68, is indicted (formally accused post-instruction) of 22 crimes, including three counts of corruption, for allegedly receiving money to favor the Lena Group, Espírito Santo Group (GES), and the Algarve resort Vale do Lobo in various dossiers.
The case involves 21 defendants, who have generally denied committing the 117 economic-financial crimes they are accused of.
The trial has been ongoing since July 3 at the Central Criminal Court of Lisbon, with sessions scheduled until at least December 18, 2025.
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