The Public Prosecutor's Office has charged a former president and three members of a parish council in Madeira. The charges include
embezzlement
abuse of office
illegal economic participation in business by holders of political office
RTP Madeira reported on 3 November.
The prosecutors did not say which parish council the four defendants belonged to.
Alleged Offences Took Place Between 2017 and 2021
According to the Madeira district prosecutor's office, the acts took place between 2017 and 2021. That covers two terms of local government, 2013-2017 and 2017-2021.
Former President Faces 28 Counts of Embezzlement
According to the charges, the then parish council president committed nine crimes of embezzlement by a holder of political office. These were allegedly committed together with another council member, who has since died.
The prosecutors say the former president also committed another 19 such crimes alone.
Three other members of the council's executive are charged jointly with one count of the same crime.
Public Money Allegedly Paid for Trips, Meals and Stays
The case concerns the alleged misuse of public money to pay for trips, meals, travel and stays, for the benefit of the defendants and others.
Investigators also looked at the hiring of a worker and the distribution of social support. Other acts examined were spending on the parish's festivities, support for an association and the diversion of computer equipment.
Prosecutors Seek Compensation on Behalf of the Parish
The prosecutors have also filed a claim for compensation against the defendants, on behalf of the parish.
The investigation was led by the Funchal section of the prosecution department (DIAP). It had help from the Judiciary Police in Madeira and technical advisers from the Attorney General's Office.
Being charged is not a conviction. The defendants are presumed innocent until a court rules otherwise.
Source: madeira.rtp.pt
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