The provider of the Irmandade de Santa Cruz, in Braga, said today that, since he held the post, he never asked or asked to ask for “a penny whatever” for the reception of the elderly in the institution’s home.
Speaking to Lusa, Luís Rufo said that the brotherhood, which is accused by the Public Ministry of passive corruption for situations prior to 2017, received “some, few, donations”, but always offered “of free and spontaneous will” by the users or family members.
“I have been a provider since 2014 and I never asked, nor did I ask, for a penny in exchange for a place,” he stressed.
Luís Rufo thus reacted to the accusation of a user’s daughter, who on Thursday referred that, in February 2018, the institution demanded a “donation” of 10,000 euros to welcome her mother.
“We didn’t ask for anything, she was the one who offered to pay. We didn’t ask her or ask anyone, I’m against it, I ended it when I got here, ”he reiterated.
He confirmed that the elderly woman’s daughter “offered” 10 thousand euros to the brotherhood and that she was given the receipt, which contains that amount as a “donation”.
“A donation gives anyone who wants to,” added the provider, adding that since he was at the head of the institution, other users, few, have also done so.
He even cited the case of one who, about two years ago, offered the fellowship 100,000 euros.
A few days ago, the Public Ministry (MP) accused a former provider of that brotherhood of “requesting or demanding” the payment of monetary amounts for the admission of users to the nursing home, but indicated that that procedure had ended in 2017, after entry the new provider.
According to the accusation, to which Lusa had access, the MP charged the former provider and the Brotherhood with a crime of passive corruption in the private sector.
The prosecution says that as of 2017, and already with the current provider, the technical director stopped suggesting the delivery of any amounts, because the new officer “also stopped issuing orders in this regard”.
The MP says that, with the “requirement” of donations, the brotherhood acted “in spite of all legal imperatives”.
It points out the case of 12 users, who will have paid between 7,500 and 40,000 euros to guarantee a place in the home.
With this “criminal activity”, adds the accusation, the brotherhood obtained a patrimonial advantage of 297,500 euros, an amount that the Public Ministry wants the ex-provider and the brotherhood to be ordered to pay to the State.
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