The case of suspected fraud in environmental authorizations for mining projects in Minas Gerais was sent to the (Supreme Federal Court) after mention to the senator (-MG).
The case is being carried out under secrecy. The decision was taken by federal judge Pedro Felipe de Oliveira Santos, from TRF-6 (Federal Regional Court of the 6th Region).
Sending the investigation to the Supreme Court does not mean that the parliamentarian is the target of the investigation. But the appearance of his name takes the case to court, as he has jurisdiction by function prerogative.
The investigations into Operation Reject, launched in September, identified high-ranking public officials suspected of being part of a criminal organization.
Through his press office, the senator denied any irregularities and said he could not comment on the case.
“I can’t comment on a handwritten paper of uncertain authorship. What’s strange to me is that it appears and is being leaked now, conveying the names of several authorities without any criteria or support in evidence. Regarding the process and the reason for it being in the Supreme Court, I don’t know. I can’t say for sure,” he said.
Among the people who were arrested by the PF are Caio Mário Trivellato Seabra Filho, one of the directors of ANM (National Mining Agency), and Rodrigo Teixeira, former director of the PF, both appointed in the current administration of the Lula (PT) government.
At the Supreme Court, investigations must be the responsibility of the minister, who reported previous cases regarding mining companies that are targets of the investigation.
