Jacques Rodriguez released on bail of half a million euros

Jacques Rodriguez was expelled from the Impala group. The decision of the investigating judge of the Sintra court also prevents the baron of the pink press from leaving the country. Jacques Rodriguez has yet to post a half million euro bail and his son could continue to lead the Impala group. Jacques Junior was left with the least onerous measure of coercion: the term of the identity card and the place of residence.

Jacques Rodriguez, this one, escaped prison because of his age. The Court considers that all the assumptions of pre-trial detention are valid – the risk of absconding, the continuation of criminal activity and the disruption of the investigation – but applies half the security measure requested by the prosecutor’s office. It also prevents him from communicating with all the defendants, with the exception of his children and ex-wife, because the law does not allow such a ban. He also forbids him from contacting witnesses and accountants who work with the official auditor, who has also been arrested.

At the exit, Jacques Rodriguez was stingy with words. A visibly annoyed businessman who is suspected of embezzling 100 million euros lashed out at journalists, saying they were only “lying”. He did not explain what they are, and did not dispute what the former employees of the group are asking for: 48 million euros in wages and unpaid compensation.

Two other defendants – lawyer Natalino Vasconcelos and state auditor José Rito – have also been released, but additional coercive measures have also been applied to them, in addition to the period proving their identity and place of residence: they also cannot contact each other and cannot, in any way, try to talk with employees of the accounting firm that handles the accounts of the Impala.
They are also prohibited from serving in the media group and may do so in any other company.