Inspectors used their status to obtain free meals in restaurants they had previously inspected: they promised “help” in resolving cases in “exchange for rewards”.
Four inspectors from the Food and Economic Security Authority (ASAE) are being accused by the Public Ministry (MP) of the crime of receiving an undue advantage, after being caught red-handed by the authorities to have lunch in restaurants in the Lisbon region without paying for the meals.
The case came to light after an investigation conducted by the Civil Police (PJ), which documented the “benefits”. According to , one of the episodes occurred on September 23 last year, at the Dom Feijão restaurant, in Lisboa. The PJ, who monitored the location from a distance, photographed the suspects and presented the images as evidence.
According to the MP’s complaint, inspectors used their status to obtain free meals in restaurants they had previously inspected, insinuating that they could “help” in resolving cases in “reward exchange”.
The inspectors investigated were identified as regulars at other restaurants in the region, such as Lavagante Azul, in Vialonga, Caravela D’Ouro, in Algés, and Candize, in Parede, the CM also writes.
During the investigation, the investigating judge ordered the suspension of the defendants’ duties, a decision later confirmed by the Lisbon Court of Appeal due to the risk of recurrence.
