This Tuesday morning (June 30, 2026), the Federal Police launched the 2nd phase of operation Anáfora, which investigates money laundering linked to the diversion of public resources, especially funds destined for health.
In total, the PF carried out 14 search and seizure warrants at addresses linked to those investigated in Rio de Janeiro, Niterói and Duque de Caxias, in Baixada Fluminense. According to the corporation, 10 warrants were issued by the 6th Federal Criminal Court of Rio de Janeiro and another 4 by the TRF-2 (Federal Regional Court of the 2nd Region).
The division of warrants arises from the current understanding of the Federal Supreme Court that authorities maintain the forum by function prerogative in certain situations, even after the end of the mandate.
The 1st phase of operation Anáfora was launched in September 2022, when the PF carried out 27 search and seizure warrants. Among the targets were (MDB), then candidate for vice-governor on the (PL) ticket and former mayor of Duque de Caxias, and businessman Mário Peixoto. Reis ended up being replaced by Thiago Pampolha during the campaign.
O Poder360 He contacted Washington Reis via a messaging app to ask if he would like to comment on the operation. There was no response until the publication of this report. The text will be updated if the politician sends a statement to this digital newspaper.
At the time, the PF and the CGU (General Comptroller of the Union) were investigating signs of favoritism in the hiring of a work cooperative by the Duque de Caxias Health Department. The contract and its amendments totaled more than R$563.5 million in just over two years.
Mário Peixoto had already been denounced by the Federal Public Ministry after the , triggered in May 2020, which investigated deviations during the government of (then in the PSC). Witzel was removed from office in 2020 and was later impeached. According to the PF, the cooperative investigated in Anafóra was part of a “structured and complex criminal organization” focused on the diversion of public resources, especially in the health area.
In the phase that began this Tuesday (June 30), the PF claims to have identified evidence that those investigated held assets in the name of third parties, made expenses incompatible with their declared income and participated in negotiations involving properties.
Those investigated may be held liable, depending on their participation, for criminal organization, bid fraud and money laundering. The PF states that other crimes may be identified throughout the investigations.
The name anaphora refers to the figure of speech characterized by the repetition of words or expressions. In the 1st phase of the operation, the PF stated that the choice of name refers to the repetition of the same operating model in the creation of companies on behalf of third parties and in the conclusion of contracts with public bodies.
