The trial into ‘Operation Vortex’ opens this week, with the initially suspected corruptor reportedly pointing the finger at politicians (both PSD and PS – one of whom used to be the apparently trusted confidante of prime minister Luís Montenegro). Businessman Francisco Pessegueiro is accused of 13 crimes of corruption, while former PS mayor Miguel Reis faces nine – and his PSD predecessor Pinto Moreira is also under suspicion. Both former politicians refute Pessegueiro’s version of events, which centres on them being the ones that ‘demanded’ sizable payments for approving development projects.
Trial opens with ‘suspected corruptor’ blaming politicians
Both former mayors of Espinho (Miguel Reis, left , Pinto Moreira, right) deny wrongdoing
