This Thursday (6) the Federal Police launched the second phase of Operation Copy and Paste, which is investigating the mayor of Sorocaba, Rodrigo Manga (Republicans), and allies on suspicion of misappropriation of health resources. He was removed from office by court order for 180 days.
In a video published on social media, the mayor said he will “check everything that happened”.
When contacted, the city hall informed that the vice-mayor, Fernando Martins da Costa Neto, took over the administration “until the facts are clarified, guaranteeing the full continuity of public services”.
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“Sorocaba City Hall reinforces its commitment to transparency and respect for judicial decisions”, says the note.
Two people were arrested preventively. In addition, the PF searched seven addresses linked to those being investigated.
The Federal Regional Court of the 3rd Region (TRF3) also determined the kidnapping and unavailability of the assets of those being investigated, worth approximately R$6.5 million, and prohibited them from maintaining contact.
The Federal Police are investigating signs of fraud in the emergency hiring of a social organization to manage city hall health units.
The investigation also targets suspicious operations that appear to have been used for money laundering, such as cash deposits, payment of bills and real estate negotiations.
The analysis of the material seized in the first phase of the operation, launched on April 10, 2025, made it possible to identify new individuals and legal entities allegedly involved in the scheme, who are the target of this stage.
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In the first phase of Operation Copy and Paste, R$1.7 million in cash was seized.
Most of the money – R$863,854.00 – was in cardboard boxes found in a car in São Paulo. The vehicle belongs to a pastor identified as the financial operator of the alleged scheme.
A large amount – R$646,350.00 – was also seized at an address in Araçoiaba.
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Those investigated may face charges of active and passive corruption, embezzlement, bidding fraud, money laundering, illegal direct hiring and criminal organization.
