Former Elvas City Council president accused of malfeasance: Public Prosecutor's Office seeks conviction and return of €292,000
The Public Prosecutor's Office requested the conviction of Nuno Mocinha for cleaning contracts concluded through direct procurement between 2015 and 2018. Judgment scheduled for 6 October.
Public Prosecutor's Office seeks conviction of former Elvas official for contracts concluded during financial director's romantic relationship
The Public Prosecutor's Office requested on Thursday the conviction of Nuno Mocinha, current Socialist councillor on the Elvas City Council, for the crime of malfeasance of a political office holder. According to Correio da Manhã, the facts in question date back to the period between 2015 and 2018, when Mocinha presided over that Alentejo municipality.
In the closing arguments of the trial, which is taking place at Portalegre Court, the Public Prosecutor's Office prosecutor argued that, between 1 January 2016 and 26 July 2018, Nuno Mocinha and the former director of the Financial and Development Department of Elvas City Council, Paulo Dias, "circumvented" public procurement law.
Cleaning contracts awarded through direct procurement
According to the Public Prosecutor's Office, the then city council president had concluded contracts through direct procurement for the acquisition of cleaning services from companies owned by a businesswoman — with whom Paulo Dias allegedly maintained a romantic relationship during that period. The prosecutor based part of the foundation of the accusation precisely on the dates when that relationship took place, also questioning the "speed" with which the contracts were formalised.
The Public Prosecutor's Office also considered that Mocinha acted in this process in a "negligent" manner.
Both defendants are accused, as material co-authors and in the consummated form, of one count of malfeasance of a political office holder. For Nuno Mocinha, the Public Prosecutor's Office also requests the loss of the mandate of member of a local authority representative body. Paulo Dias risks an accessory sentence of prohibition from exercising functions.
Defence seeks acquittal and contests accusation
The defence lawyers requested the acquittal of both defendants. Nuno Mocinha's lawyer, Maria Margarida Moleiro, argued that the official was unaware of the romantic relationship between Paulo Dias and the businesswoman, having become aware of the fact only some time afterwards. Moleiro added that it was proven in court that her client "never indicated" any specific entity to provide the services and that he "did not act in order to circumvent the law".
"The requirements for the crime of malfeasance are not met," the lawyer stated.
Paulo Dias's defence, in turn, argued that the accusation constructed a "story" based on "assumptions" that were not proven at trial. Both defences also criticised the fact that the Public Prosecutor's Office had recourse to the current public procurement law, which differs from the legislation in force during the period in question.
Return of more than €292,000 demanded from the State
The Public Prosecutor's Office requests that the loss of advantages obtained by the defendants be declared and that both be sentenced to joint and several payment to the State of €292,735.77 — an amount corresponding to the advantage that the Public Prosecutor's Office alleges was generated by the commission of the criminal offence.
The accusation argues that the conduct of the defendants violated the rules governing the award of works through direct procurement by public entities, as well as the principles of the pursuit of public interest and transparency.
Political career of Nuno Mocinha
Nuno Mocinha presided over Elvas City Council during two consecutive terms, between 2013 and 2021. Since the local elections of 12 October 2025, he has been serving as a councillor for the Socialist Party, having been appointed vice-president by the current municipality president, José Rondão Almeida, of the Civic Movement For Elvas (MCPE).
The panel of judges at Portalegre Court has scheduled the judgment reading for 6 October at 12:00.
Source: Correio da Manhã