Lisbon Chamber Launches Investigation into Secretary-General Over “Lumen” Operation

A major corruption investigation, dubbed ‘Operation Lúmen,’ has engulfed the Lisbon City Hall, leading to the arrest of Secretary-General Alberto Laplaine Guimarães and raising serious questions about the city’s Christmas light project. The probe suggests a potential misuse of public funds and a lack of transparency within the municipal administration.

The investigation, spearheaded by the Socialist Party (PS), is focusing on the ‘Lumen’ operation, which oversaw the installation of the city’s festive Christmas lights. It’s alleged that Guimarães remained in his position illegally while overseeing the project, led by Carla Salsinha, President of UACS, and that a competitive tender process was bypassed. Minister Carlos Moedas is under scrutiny for failing to ensure a fair bidding process, further fueling suspicions of corruption. Authorities are examining contracts and financial records to determine the full extent of the alleged misuse of funds, potentially uncovering a wider network of wrongdoing within the city’s administration. The investigation is expected to uncover details about the project's budget and the selection of contractors, aiming to hold those responsible accountable for any irregularities.

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