The chairman of the parish council of Foz do Arelho in Caldas da Rainha and the former secretary were sentenced this Thursday by the Leiria court to a suspended sentence of four and three years’ imprisonment for the crime of embezzlement.
Fernando Sousa, former treasurers Luis Vila Verde, Jorge Rafael Constantino and José António Ferreira, as well as former secretary Maria dos Anjos Sequeira, were accused of embezzlement for allegedly misappropriating 195 thousand euros for their own benefit or the benefit of third parties. from the parish.
The presiding judge of the panel of the Judicial Court of Leiria this Thursday considered the evidence to be “partially proven” and sentenced Fernando Souza to four years in prison, suspended for the same period, and with proof of payment of 14,459.30 euros.
Maria dos Anjos Sequeira was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, suspended for the same period, and proof of payment of 27,963 euros.
The remaining defendants were acquitted of embezzlement charges.
In June 2017, an audit indicated the theft of almost 193 thousand euros in this Leiria County Council.
According to the indictment, during the council’s administration, from at least November 2013 to September 2017, “payment of expenses was carried out inappropriately, particularly in relation to the acquisition of goods and services, without supporting documents bearing” the council’s tax number and without determination of the beneficiary.
In addition, “there was no concern about accounting for kilometers and liters of fuel used on a council vehicle” and “controlling excessive cash payments”.
On the other hand, it was expected to “pay expenses related to vehicles not owned by the council” and others that had nothing to do with the “competencies and responsibilities” of the municipality, such as “purchase of glasses, diapers, food, drinks, alcoholic beverages (.. .), soft drinks, food, third-party fuel” or the purchase of mobile phones.
According to the Ministry of State (MP), the supply was registered between 2014 and 2017 with the Association for the Promotion and Development of Tourism of Foz do Arelho, of which Fernando Sousa was president and Maria dos Anjos Sequeira was one of the secretaries. , 113,860 euros. During the same period, 99,010 euros were recorded in the association’s accounts.
In the case of the chairman of the board, the deputy claims that he “wrongly received” 25,348.66 euros, “corresponding to a half-time salary,” when he should have only received a compensation allowance, issued a check from the municipality for 200 euros and made several payments possible.
Former Secretary of State Maria dos Anjos Sequeira illegally earned almost 26 thousand euros between November 2013 and September 2017 and made several payments possible, the deputy says.
In the case of Luis Vila Verde, he “wrongfully and without legal justification” received a check for 126.59 euros and, as treasurer, was given the opportunity to pay a number of expenses. In the same role, Jorge Rafael Constantino presented in his name a receipt for fuel in the amount of 42.29 euros from one gas station, when the consumption was made at another, and also allowed various expenses to be paid.
In turn, José António Ferreira received “without legal justification” a check for 100 euros, which also allowed him to pay various expenses.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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