An unrepentant Maria de Lurdes Rodrigues said she it will appeal her suspended 3 year sentence, "I have a clear conscience and I am very proud of the work I did."
The former Minister of Education received the sentence, annoyingly for many it was a suspended one, for ‘dereliction of duty by a holder of political office.’
João Pedroso, the brother of the former socialist minister Paulo Pedroso, and João Batista da Silva, the former secretary general of the Ministry of Education, also were sentenced to three years and six months in prison, but also suspended.
The defendant Maria José Morgado, who was chief of staff of the former minister, was acquitted.
Those convicted will have to make an involuntary donation to charity of €30,000 each for Maria de Lurdes Rodrigues and João Batista, and €40,000 for João Pedroso.
The case revolves around the direct hiring of Pedroso in 2007 to offer legal advice and to produce a study for the minister. His fee was €220,000 (ex VAT), payable in two installments.
The president of the presiding judges, Helena Susano said that by offering this contract Maria de Lurdes Rodrigues and João Batista granted favours although they were unaware this was unlawful.
Although the former Minister denied any personal or political connection with the other defendants, it was revealed in court that her partner was a partner of João Batista in the literary company Celta Editora.
All of the accused were in positions of trust in the then socialist government.
No other lawyers were asked to quote and the fees were excessive for the work done, or not done in this instance. There was no proof that the lawyer and the minister later shared out the fees.
The work was never completed, and Pedroso did return part of the money but the study that he produced was of so little value it was described as ‘useless’ by the prosecutors.
Leaving the court, Maria de Lurdes Rodrigues was unrepentant, "There was no justice. In fact there was a great injustice and this is very negative for our justice system. I have a clear conscience and I am very proud of the work I did," said the former Minister who now will appeal this decision.
Pedroso was of the same mind, "We disagree with this decision totally."
