Senior Portuguese official resigns over suspected fraud

A senior Portuguese government official resigned for suspected involvement in a fraud, Portuguese Ministry of Internal Administration announced here on Thursday.

Adelino Goncalves Mendes, Chief of the Office of Secretary of State of Civil Protection, submitted his resignation after being accused of obtaining community funds, said the ministry, adding that the resignation was accepted by Secretary of State of Civil Protection Jose Artur Neves.

Also in the day, the Central Criminal Investigation and Action Department (DCIAP) revealed that 19 defendants (eight natural persons and 11 legal persons) have been set up as part of a survey investigating the practice of fraud crimes in obtaining subsidies, qualified tax fraud, bleaching and falsifying documents.

The DCIAP said that 26 search warrants had been issued and investigations were underway in several locations throughout the country.

Two other senior government officials resigned last month for alleged nepotism.