Portugal’s judicial authorities have confirms five searches and the seizure of family assets of those involved in the Espírito Santo case including family members and former directors.
Houses belonging to Ricardo Salgado (pictured) in Estoril and Comporta have been searched where jewellery, gold, tapestries, artwork and cash have been seized along with and other assets such as boats and cars.
An official source at the Attorney General's Office confirmed it was "conducting due diligence as part of investigations into the Espírito Santo case," adding that "these steps included five searches and the seizure of goods."
In addition to Ricardo Salgado’s goods and properties, other houses and offices related to the Espírito Santo family and to the former directors of BES are being targeted for searches by the Judicial Police, in particular that of Amílcar Morais Pires the former Chief Financial officer of BES, and José Manuel Espírito Santo, who was an executive director.
Today’s raids followed on from recent activities ordered by judge Carlos Alexandre in which luxury buildings in Lisbon, resorts in the Algarve, Ricardo Salgado’s house in Cascais, and properties at the luxury Comporta estate were frozen by the state.
In May, more than 600 properties owned by Espírito Santo Group and Rioforte, plus millions in bank accounts were identified and frozen pending court action
In total, the judicial authorities have taken charge of over €1 billion in assets and cash. The aim is to stop the disposal of these assets before likely compensation orders are issued as a result of forthcoming prosecutions.
The Central Department of Investigation and Penal Action (DCIAP) is investigating aggravated fraud, tax fraud and money laundering.
