04/17/2024 – 22:04
Two weeks ago, in absolute secrecy, judge Priscila Devechi Ferraz Maia, from the 5th Criminal Court of Guarulhos, gave the green light that the Public Ministry of São Paulo (MP-SP) was waiting to prepare Operation Muditia. The decision points to “strong evidence of authorship and participation of those investigated” in a bid fraud scheme with influence from the PCC and presence in at least 12 cities in São Paulo. The contracts investigated total around R$200 million.
“The fact that companies from the same group participate in bids, in simulated competition, in theory, would be sufficient to qualify the crimes of association/criminal organization in bids and administrative contracts”, writes the judge in the decision, which has 14 pages.
The judge also highlights the suspected participation of public officials and agents in the scheme. Three councilors were arrested – Flávio Batista de Souza (Podemos), Inha, from Ferraz de Vasconcelos; Luiz Carlos Alves Dias (MDB), Luizão Architect, from Santa Isabel; and Ricardo Queixão (Podemos), from Cubatão.
The arrest is temporary, that is, it is initially valid for five days, but can be converted into preventive detention, which has no end date.
Councilor Gabriel dos Santos (PSD), former president of the Arujá City Council, the former Itatiba municipal administration secretary, Eduardo Antônio Sesti Júnior, and an advisor from the Cubatão city hall, dismissed after the operation, are also investigated.
Prosecutors identified bribe payments, via PIX and in kind, through “oranges”, to civil servants and politicians.
This Tuesday, the 16th, a task force took to the streets simultaneously in 14 cities to deepen the investigation. In addition to the arrest orders, Gaeco prosecutors and military police carried out searches in the purchasing and bidding departments of the city halls of Guarulhos, Ferraz de Vasconcelos, Guararema, Poá, Itatiba and Cubatão.
The agents were also at the Municipal Chambers of Ferraz de Vasconcelos, Arujá, Santa Isabel and Cubatão and at residential and commercial addresses of those being investigated, including two law firms. One of the stalls belongs to Dário Reisinger Ferreira. He is a leader of União Brasil in Suzano and is on the run.
In previous stages, the Public Ministry obtained authorization to wiretap investigation targets. Excerpts from the conversations were used in the representation sent to the judge to describe the suspicions. One of the conversations is about a municipal employee, contract manager, who would be willing to “receive tips on how to tie the notice”, which sparked a new alert regarding the direction of bids to benefit the group under investigation.
Nine companies are in the MP's sights – Mova Empreendimentos Comercial e Serviços, Safe Java, Vagner Borges Dias ME, Centermix, N Fernandes, DX do Brasil, Inova, CJM Soluções and Latrell Brito Apoio e Serviços LTDA.
Investigators believe that the “head” of the scheme is Vagner Borges Dias, appointed as “manager” of the companies. Another suspect is Márcio Zeca da Silva, convicted of drug trafficking after being caught with 200 portions of cocaine in the false bottom of a Mercedes.
According to the MP, the group's activities go beyond bidding fraud and would be linked to other crimes to “prestige” the interests of the PCC.
WITH THE WORD, THE CITY COUNCIL OF ARUJÁ
The Chamber of Arujá, through the Presidency of the House, is available to the Court to provide any clarifications in relation to the complaints investigated by the Public Ministry of the State of São Paulo.
It is important to clarify that, contrary to what was reported by some press vehicles, councilor Gabriel dos Santos, current President of the Chamber, was not detained. As determined by the institution's Communications Office, there is not even a request for arrest issued in the parliamentarian's name. Therefore, the statements about this detention are untrue.
What happened, as stated in the records, was the execution of a search and seizure warrant at Gabriel's residence and at the Arujá Chamber.
We continue to monitor developments in these facts and, if necessary, we will comment again.
WITH A WORD, THE CITY COUNCIL OF SANTA ISABEL
The Municipal Council of Santa Isabel – SP, became aware this morning, April 16, of the operation launched by GAECO. Until now, this Chamber of Councilors has been collaborating with the investigations. Regarding the arrest warrants, we inform you that we have not been notified about possible arrests. We await the outcome of the investigations, and we make ourselves available to the Court for further clarification.
WITH THE WORD, THE CUBATÃO CITY COUNCIL
In response to Operation Muditia, launched by the Special Action Group to Combat Organized Crime (GAECO) and the Military Police, the Cubatão City Council informs that it became aware of the aforementioned operation this morning (16) and that it is collaborating with the security teams. investigation, providing all documents requested by the authorities.
The Cubatão City Council is available to the courts to provide any clarifications and continues to monitor the developments of what happened and, if necessary, will comment again.
WITH THE WORD, THE CUBATÃO CITY HALL
Regarding Operation Muditia, carried out this morning (16) by Gaeco, the City of Cubatão clarifies that the investigation investigates possible irregularities in City Council contracts, with the City Hall not being cited in the aforementioned investigation. Even so, it has collaborated with the Public Ministry, providing requested documents and information.
Fabiana de Abreu Silva, investigated in this operation, which is being carried out under judicial secrecy, held a trusted position as special advisor on strategic policies and recently took on the role of Deputy Secretary of Government. The aforementioned civil servant was dismissed this Tuesday (16) to guarantee impartiality to the investigations and her comprehensive defense before the Public Ministry.
WITH THE WORD, THE OTHER MENTIONED
Until the publication of this text, the Estadão He sought contact with the defenses, but without success. The space is open for manifestation.
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