The Secretary of State for the Sea, José Maria Costa, said this Monday (21) that he awaits with “serenity” the investigation of the Public Prosecutor’s Office into an alleged violation of the law on public procurement in Viana do Castelo’s room when he was president.
“I have a clear conscience, because the whole process of public procurement, while I was mayor, complied with all the rules, as it couldn’t otherwise be me,” José Maria Costa told Lusa news agency.
The newspaper Correio da Manhã said on Monday that the member of parliament is investigating Viana do Castelo’s chamber for “suspected violation of the law on public procurement in direct adjustments and illegal public procurement of almost 5.5 million euros”.
The research focuses on the period that José Maria Costa, current Secretary of State for the Sea, was president of the municipality (between 2009 and October 2021).
Questioned by the Lusa office, the Office of the Attorney General (PGR) confirmed “the existence of investigations into the Viana do Castelo City Council regarding public procurement, which are subject to secrecy”.
“There are no formalized defendants,” reads the written response to Lusa’s request for clarification.
According to the newspaper, “in 2018, for example, the municipality would have made direct adjustments and illegal public tenders for almost 5.5 million euros. The investigation was opened in response to complaints to the Member of Parliament”.
The former mayor and current secretary of state said he “fully trusts the law” and assured that Viana do Castelo’s chamber “has given and will continue to give all the clarifications requested by the MP in due course.”
“This is a process that has been going on for several years. At the time, the Chamber was asked for information about public procurement procedures. We have sent all requested documentation. were heard as part of this investigation. Personally, whether I am mayor or in the roles I now hold, I have never been called to be heard,” he said.
José Maria Costa added that he was “never” heard in the context of this process, adding that during the 12 years of the mandate in the Chamber of Viana do Castelo there were “many complaints, especially in periods close to the elections”.
“They are all archived. I wait patiently. I have a clear conscience that we have done everything in accordance with the legislation in force, as it was the prerogative of the City Council to do. public procurement and legislation in general”, he reinforces .
In a statement sent to the editors today, Viana do Castelo’s Chamber reported that it had “always based its position on compliance with the law”, expressing itself “available for any necessary clarifications”.
Source: DN
