The PF () launched this Thursday (16) the seventh phase of Operation Overclean, which targets embezzlement of public funds and money laundering using resources from parliamentary amendments.
Six search and seizure warrants, a precautionary measure to remove a public agent from office and the kidnapping of illicitly obtained funds were executed in the cities of Salvador, Riacho de Santana and Wenceslau Guimarães, in Bahia, and in Arraial do Cabo, in Rio de Janeiro.
The mayor of Riacho de Santana (720 km from Salvador), João Vítor Laranjeira (PSD), was removed from office by order of the STF (Supreme Federal Court). Wenceslau Guimarães (155 km from the capital), Gabriel de Parisio (MDB), was the target of search and seizure.
The report was unable to contact the two’s defenses. The two cities have, respectively, 35 thousand and 24 thousand inhabitants.
João Vítor Laranjeira (PSD) and Gabriel Parisio (MDB) are political allies of federal deputy Dal Barreto (União Brasil), who was the target of search and seizure last Tuesday (14).
The parliamentarian had his cell phone seized by the police. In a note, he said that he had not had access to the police investigation and that he was available to the PF for collaboration.
According to the police, the objective of the operation is to dismantle a criminal organization suspected of involvement in bidding fraud, embezzlement of public resources, corruption and money laundering.
Those investigated may face charges of criminal organization, active and passive corruption, embezzlement, fraud in tenders and administrative contracts, in addition to money laundering.
Overclean’s investigations point to the activities of a criminal group that allegedly affected Dnocs (National Department of Works Against Droughts), a body linked to the Ministry of National Integration, especially in Bahia.
The group, according to the PF, would have directed resources from parliamentary amendments and agreements to companies linked to municipal administrations, with overpricing for works and financial deviations. He allegedly handled around R$1.4 billion in fraudulent contracts and overpriced works.
The inquiry, which has among its main targets, went to the Supreme Court for citing federal deputy Elmar Nascimento, who represents the party for Bahia.
People close to the political group of the mayor of Salvador, Bruno Reis, have also been targeted. The investigations led to the removal of the Secretary of Education of Belo Horizonte, Bruno Barral, who held the same portfolio in Salvador under former mayor ACM Neto.
