Investigated would have taken advantage of the state of emergency to defraud basic basket contracts and frozen chickens; Wanderlei Barbosa considers a decision ‘hasty’ and will trigger the court to return to office
The Federal Police launched on Wednesday (3) the second phase of Operation Fames-19, which investigates an alleged scheme of embezzlement of public resources in the purchase of during the pandemic in Tocantins. The governor (Republicans) was removed from office for 180 days by decision of the Superior Court of Justice (STJ). In a statement, Barbosa stated that he respects the court’s decision, but considers it “hasty” as the operation is still underway. The governor stressed that payments related to basic food baskets occurred between 2020 and 2021, when he was deputy governor and not expenditure orderer.
Barbosa also said that he determined audits on contracts, conducted by the State Attorney General’s Office (PGE) and the State Comptroller General (CGE), and that all information was referred to the competent authorities. “I will activate the legal means necessary to resume the position of governor, prove the legality of my acts and face this injustice, ensuring the stability of the state and the continuity of services to the population,” he said.
More than 200 federal police officers fulfill 51 search and seizure warrants, as well as precautionary measures, in Araguaína, Federal District, Paraíba and Maranhão. The objective is to gather new evidence on the irregular use of parliamentary amendments and the receipt of advantages by public and political agents.
Federal Police plane at Palmas Airport (Disclosure/Federal Police)
Investigations, which are being confidential, indicate that between 2020 and 2021, the investigated would have taken advantage of the state of emergency public health to defraud basic baskets and frozen chickens supply. Contracts of more than R $ 97 million were signed, with estimated loss of over R $ 73 million to the public coffers.
According to the PF, part of the diverted money would have been hidden through the construction of luxury enterprises, purchase of cattle and payment of personal expenses. It is also suspected that not all the basic baskets contracted – about 1.6 million – were delivered to the population.
The signings investigated were made by the Secretariat of Labor and Social Action (arrows) without bidding, supported by a state decree that flexed rules during the pandemic to accelerate the provision of emergency services. The Federal Police made available the email delecor.drcor.srto@pf.gov.br and WhatsApp (63) 3236-5512 for receiving complaints about the case.
Posted by Felipe Dantas
*Report produced with the aid of AI
