The Judiciary Police (PJ) detained lawyer Paulo Topa this Sunday, 21st, in Porto, a police source confirmed to Lusa, with the investigation taking place as part of an investigation into misappropriation of funds.
The arrest comes days after SIC reported that the lawyer and three insolvency administrators are suspected of embezzling ten million euros from bankrupt businesspeople.
The lawyer’s arrest was initially reported by SIC Notícias, which states that the warrant was issued because authorities considered there to be a risk of flight to Brazil.
Paulo Topa will be heard in the first judicial interrogation within 48 hours of his arrest, which should take place by Tuesday at the Porto Criminal Investigation Court.
According to a PJ source, the interrogation has not yet been scheduled.
According to the SIC investigation, over a decade, the lawyer will have participated in the creation of 50 shell companies, preparing false credits and enlisting vulnerable people, including a homeless man, to serve as front men.
No site of the Bar Association, Paulo Topa’s professional certificate appears to be inactive.