The Federal Court of Audit (TCU) ruled on Wednesday, 23, by majority, not instituting a special account (ECA) to investigate the responsibility of the former executive secretary of the Northeast Consortium, Carlos Gabas (PT), as well as the then administrative manager of the consortium, Valderir Claudino de Souza, when buying pulmonary ventilators intended to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
A representation was voted on possible irregularities in an administrative contract, which was the acquisition of 300 pulmonary fans. The process will continue to investigate the liability of the supplier company, Hempcare Pharma Representations.
According to the technical area, the equipment, acquired in 2020, did not reach the states, despite the early payment of R $ 48.7 million, of which R $ 9.9 million came from the Union. At the time, the Northeast Consortium was chaired by the then governor of Bahia, Rui Costa (PT), who is current Minister of the Civil House.
Most followed the vote of Minister Bruno Dantas, who highlighted the exceptional character of the pandemic context. “After only 5 years, it causes me perplexity to see the possibility that the court will be responsible for those who were on the front line,” he said.
The minister’s vote was to investigate only the responsibility of the company Hempcare Pharma Representations, which sold the respirators. He denied intent of intent or bad faith by the consortium managers.
