The outbreak, this Wednesday (12), of a criminal organization allegedly involved in the diversion of public resources from Covid-19 and parliamentary amendments for the supply of basic food baskets.
The action, called Operation Nemesis, complies with 24 search and seizure warrants, issued by the (Superior Court of Justice), in Palmas and Santa Tereza do Tocantins.
Among the searches are addresses of the dismissed governor, Wanderlei Barbosa (), suspected of being part of the amendment diversion scheme. The PF even asked for his arrest, but the STJ denied it.
The PF investigations began in the 2nd phase of Operation Fames-19, in September, when the agency identified evidence that some investigated had used their official positions and vehicles to remove and transport documents and materials of interest to the group.
This, according to the PF, would have caused embarrassment to the investigations into the activities of the criminal organization, which are still ongoing and under secrecy.
“Today’s actions seek to interrupt criminal actions aimed at the destruction and concealment of evidence and assets and gather new elements that contribute to clarifying the facts, especially regarding the participation of the suspects and the possible actions of other previously unidentified agents,” said the agency.
Investigators claim that the Government of Tocantins has been transformed into a “true business desk”.
The investigations also revealed that those close to the governor treated the scheme with derision, took photos with wads of cash and devised ways to disguise fraudulent deliveries.
The Federal Police said they had identified the payment of R$550,000 in alleged bribes to Wanderlei, related to a frozen chicken supply contract signed with a company.
The transfer in kind would have taken place on November 14, 2021, but the contract was neither executed nor paid off by the government.
According to investigations, the company was unable to fulfill the agreement. It delivered only 15,000 light chickens, instead of the expected 50,000 chickens, which resulted in non-performance of the contract.
When contacted, Wanderlei’s defense did not respond. In a note sent in September, he stated that he never had any direct or indirect participation in the acquisition of basic food baskets during the pandemic.
“Attempts to link him to the case are based solely on statements from third parties reproduced in a police investigation, without any material proof or concrete evidence. These are hasty deductions with no basis in reality”, says the text.
