The former commander of the Maceda air base is suspected of misappropriating more than 30,000 euros for the food of his wife and child, as well as for the purchase of various foodstuffs and alcoholic beverages.
The Colonel, now retired, was charged by the Ministry of Public Affairs (MP) of Aveiro with 19 crimes of misappropriation, 14 crimes of abuse of power, four crimes of embezzlement, and one crime of denial of justice and evasion of justice.
The MP’s indictment, released by Porto’s Regional Attorney General on March 20 and consulted by Lusa this Thursday, alleges that the 59-year-old former commander received illegal benefits for himself and his family, and received or provided undue benefits to other members of the armed forces and civil servants in unit, causing damage to the state for almost 200,000 euros.
The process also includes six other defendants with links to the Portuguese Air Force (soldiers of various ranks, including officers and operational assistants), who are accused of crimes of abuse of power, embezzlement and unlawful receipt of benefits.
The ex-commander’s wife is also accused in the same embezzlement process.
The criminal facts relate to the period from October 2018 to April 2021, when the colonel served as commander of the maneuverable airfield No. 1 (AM1) in Ovar, Aveiro district.
The February 13 indictment alleges that the defendant authorized and unreasonably justified adjustments to the balance stocks of food from canteen AM1, which corresponded to an “absolute deviation” of about 120,000 euros.
According to the investigation, these “absolute deviations” were the result of “a systematic and widespread practice of disproportionate acquisition of goods and reinforced by the use of budget depletion in the relevant headings with inadequate and disproportionate consideration of the implementation of AM1 requirements.”
The indictment alleges that the former commander did not eat at the canteen, instructing that his food be delivered home daily, as well as that of his wife and son, who were not entitled to meals on behalf of the Air Force. , resulting in an undue advantage of around 17,000 euros.
During the period under review, the former commander will also receive in his house various types of food and items that are not usually consumed in the dining room, including wine and spirits of the Papa Figos brand, various fruits such as papaya and mango, cakes. , chocolate, juices, sparkling water, cheese, butter, sauces, condiments and vegetables worth almost 14,000 euros.
The officer also requested and received piglets at the 2019 and 2020 Christmas parties and at the birthday party of one of his children, and provided additional work for civilian canteen workers at personal events and parties, the costs of which were covered by AM1. .
The unjustified expenses incurred by this military unit of the Portuguese Air Force also include the installation of new kitchens, curtains and two mattresses in the house for celebrations, where he lived with his wife and son, as well as the payment of expenses related to water, electricity. , telecommunications and television services.
The list of expenses also includes the repair of the former commander’s personal furniture at the AM1 carpentry shop and the overhaul and maintenance of his personal vehicles at the AM1 workshops, as well as cleaning the garden and painting his mansion.
The former commander also instructed him and his family to misuse the AM1 laundry service and to reroute the electric treadmill and rowing machine used by the military in the gym and place it in your functional home.
The deputy asked to sentence the defendants to pay the state about 238 thousand euros, which corresponds to the total amount of damage caused, and also ordered the withdrawal of a certificate for sending to the Accounts Chamber for a possible determination of financial responsibility.
In a March 20 reply to Luse, the Air Force clarified that the officers charged in the case were not currently on active duty in that branch of the armed forces, adding that once all the facts had been established, they “would act in accordance with the law, without prejudice to disciplinary action.” penalty applicable to this case.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Dave Martin, and I’m an experienced journalist working in the news industry. As a part of my work, I write for 24 News Reporters, covering mostly sports-related topics. With more than 5 years of experience as a journalist, I have written numerous articles on various topics to provide accurate information to readers.