The Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Judiciary Police decided join several inquiries into suspicious Novo Banco business in a single process, which now concentrates suspicions of corruption, qualified fraud and money laundering related to the sale of assets since 2018, advances the “Public“.
The survey is conducted by Central Department of Investigation and Criminal Action (DCIAP) and supported by National Anti-Corruption Unit (UNCC) from PJ. This Wednesday, the police carried out a large search operationinvolving Novo Banco, the consultancy KPMG, companies, residences, a law firm and a review company.
The operation, called “Haircut”had more than 100 inspectors, 14 attorneysthree criminal investigation judges and a representative of the Tax Authority. The objective is to analyze all the elements collected to determine criminal responsibilities and speed up the conclusion of investigations.
Among the cases under investigation is the sale of Herdade da Ferrariain Sesimbra, a 260-hectare plot of land that ended up being acquired by people linked to Volkert Schmidt, former head of Novo Banco’s real estate area and member of the Lone Star fund, which held 75% of the bank until the recent sale to BPCEa French group that acquired the participation of the Portuguese State.
The day of the searches coincided with the formalization of sale of Novo Banco to BPCEin a ceremony at the Ministry of Finance marked by the quick departure of the main players, including the Minister of Finance, Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, and the bank’s executive president, Mark Bourke.
Researchers are still cross-reference evidence from other processesincluding wiretaps related to António Ramalho, former executive president of the bank, who denied having been the target of searches during this operation.