Top comedian denies Casa Pia connection

9/12/2006

One of Portugal’s most popular TV comedians, Herman José, has told a Lisbon court he denies knowing or ever having any sort of contact with the prime suspect in the Casa Pia case, Carlos Silvino, otherwise known as ‘Bibi’.

Carlos Silvino, a former Casa Pia worker, is accused of ‘supplying’ underage boys from the children’s institution to a number of well-known Portuguese personalities.

Herman José further denies knowing any of the youths who have so far incriminated at least three other prominent figures - TV presenter Carlos Cruz, high-profile doctor João Ferreira Diniz, and diplomat Jorge Ritto

The much-loved humorist also denies having met Diniz or Ritto, though admits to having a number of encounters with Carlos Cruz through their respective professions, but maintaining they were never particularly close or even friends despite often working in the same building.

Speaking as a witness in the case, Herman José said he has no connection with any of the accused, nor did he ever receive children at his Azeitão home, as initial reports had suggested.

Herman José was originally charged for homosexual relations with a 17-year old teenager, though all charges against him were dropped in the early stages of the trial.