The trial of former managers and employees of Obra Diocesana do Porto began on Tuesday at the São João Novo court in Porto.
They are accused of creating a criminal scheme that defrauded Social Security of €3.3 million and are responsible for tax fraud.
According to the indictment, the plan was created by the institution’s president, who was then assisted by the treasurer, two members, the director and two employees.
To obtain more funding from Social Security, the defendants allegedly falsified and falsified user lists, making up and duplicating names and even using the identities of 436 deceased people.
The criminal scheme began in 2009 and was only uncovered in 2015 after searches by the judicial police.
The defendants did not wish to make statements, but left open the possibility of doing so in the future.