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Joaquim Cardoso, the former president of the Lourosa fire brigade, remained silent at the opening of his trial on Friday.
Cardoso faces three charges of abuse of power. The prosecution alleges that in 2014 he diverted two men who were supposed to perform community service at the brigade’s barracks to carry out work on his private house and at a factory.
One of the men, Francisco Santos, confirmed the allegations. “First I was going to collect firemen’s badges, but then I started going to Mr. Cardoso’s houses and to a factory. I painted a house, fixed a wall. I started going every day from eight in the morning to five in the afternoon. I don’t know how many hours I did,” Santos said. He added that Cardoso had told him that the document he was to prepare would include good references for the services he had rendered to the community, but Santos claimed he never received any payment.
Cardoso is also suspected of purchasing an autowater tank for 750 euros, which he declared was intended for slaughter. He later used the vehicle for irrigation work at companies.
Cardoso’s health problems led to his exemption from the remaining court sessions.
The trial was held in Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal.
Article and image source: cmjornal.pt
