Minister of Communications decided to leave the government after being denounced for corruption by the Attorney General’s Office
The Minister of Communications, (União Brasil), said on Tuesday (8.abr.br.2025) that he asked to leave office to protect the president’s country project (PT). He released an open resignation letter after being by the PGR (Attorney General’s Office).
“Today I made one of the most difficult decisions of my public career. I asked President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva my dismissal from the position of Minister of Communications. I did not do it for lack of commitment, quite the contrary. I leave for believing that, at this moment, the most important thing is to protect the country project that we help to build and what I keep believing.”he wrote.
Juscelino stated that throughout his period in the ministry he had the support “unconditional” of Lula, but who never had “ATTENGE” to office. According to the minister, the decision is out of respect for the government and the petista.
“The decision to leave now is also a gesture of respect for the Brazilian government and the people. I need to dedicate myself to my defense, with serenity and firmness, because I know that the truth will prevail. The accusations that hit me are unfounded, and I fully trust our country’s institutions, especially in the Supreme Court, so that it will come!”he said. Read A (PDF – 20 KB).
Juscelino’s idea is to move away so that he can defend himself from and avoid embarrassment to Lula. Lunch was already scheduled for 15 days, but in the face of the complaint, the minister was invited to attend the meeting.
The PGR denounced the Minister of Communications for Corruption. He is accused of being involved in an amendment case when he was a federal deputy for Maranhão in 2022.
In June 2024, the Juscelino PF (Federal Police) for criminal organization, money laundering and passive corruption. In a statement issued on Tuesday (8.ab.2025), the defense claims the innocence of the minister. Read the full below.
The complaint was sent to the Supreme Court (STF), which will evaluate if there is sufficient evidence to open a criminal case against the minister. If you understand that yes, the minister becomes a defendant. The case, however, is under confidentiality. The information was revealed by the portal UOL and confirmed by Poder360.
Government members of (PT) evaluate the theme of corruption as one of the most expensive in the government’s image. Having a member of the 1st level reported could wear out the image of the government, which already faces a drop in popularity.
In an official note from União Brasil, the president of the acronym, Antonio Rueda, defended the minister. Said he will not admit “Any kind of pre-judgment or early conviction” and that trusts the work of Juscelino. Read the full below.
The acronym changed the tone adopted after the PF indictment, when the hypothesis that the corporation could have been partial in its calculation.
Read the note of the defense of Juscelino Filho:
“The defense of Juscelino Filho clarifies that so far has not been notified of the prosecution’s complaint. Such a progress is not even in the procedural consultation. In fact, in confirming, we have a dangerous indication of being returning to the punitivist time of Brazil, when the MP was first talking to the press before speaking in the case.
“In any case, the minister reaffirms his total innocence and points out that the offering of a complaint does not imply guilt, nor can it serve as an instrument for the MP to guide the country. The trial is up to the Supreme Court (STF), in whom Juscelino Filho trusts that he will reject the accusatory piece in the face of his manifest absence of evidence.
“By the way, this is the best opportunity to put a definitive end to this factoid marathon that has been dragging on for almost 3 years, with the final word of the maximum instance of the national judiciary.
“In addition, the minister points out that the case has no relationship with his performance at the head of the Ministry of Communications, whose management – as well as in all public positions he acted – is based on transparency, efficiency and commitment to the public interest.
“As a federal deputy, in the previous term, Juscelino Filho was merely indicated parliamentary amendments to fund the execution of works for the benefit of the population. The processes of bidding, execution and supervision of these works are the exclusive competence of the Executive Power, not being the responsibility of the parliamentary who indicated the resources.
“The minister reiterates his confidence in justice and the impartiality of the Federal Supreme Court, believing that the truth will prevail and that its innocence will be properly proven.
Ticiano Figueiredo, Pedro Ivo Velloso and Francisco Agostini, lawyers of Juscelino Filho ”
Read the Union Brazil note:
“União Brasil reiterates its support to the Minister of Communications, Juscelino Filho, in view of the complaint presented by the Attorney General’s Office (PGR). The party points out that the minister has not yet had the opportunity to exercise his right to the contradictory within the PGR and that he will speak up in the Supreme Court (STF), where he could present his defense in a full way.
“We reaffirm that complaints do not equal guilt, and that the principle of presumption of innocence must be respected. Due process is a fundamental pillar of the Democratic Rule of Law, and União Brasil will not admit any kind of pre-judgment or early conviction.
“We continue to rely on the seriousness and competence of Minister Juscelino Filho, who has been doing his work at the head of the Ministry of Communications with commitment and concrete results for the Brazilian population.
“The party remains next to the minister, confident that he can clarify all points raised and reaffirm his integrity before justice.
“Antonio Rueda, National President of União Brasil”
Understand
The PF investigation concluded that Juscelino Filho committed the crimes of passive corruption, bid fraud and criminal organization when he was a federal deputy for Maranhão. He graduated from office in 2023 for the Ministry of Communications.
The minister is suspected of participating in a deviation scheme of parliamentary amendments in 2022. The resources (R $ 7.5 million) via (São Francisco and Parnaíba Valleys Development Company) for paving streets in the city of Vitorino Freire. The minister’s sister, is the mayor.
The company hired by the municipality to do the work was, from a friend of Juscelino, businessman Eduardo José Barros Costa, known as Eduardo Imperador. He was arrested on charges of paying bribes to federal officials to obtain works in Vitorino Freire and being a hidden partner of the construction company.
