Federal Police carry out operation to investigate corruption in public health during the pandemic in Volta Redonda | South of Rio and Costa Verde

This Tuesday morning (26), the Federal Police are carrying out an operation investigating corruption in public health during the pandemic in Volta Redonda (RJ).

According to the PF, the action, called Operation Virus, is investigating deviations related to a R$1.6 million contract, intended for emergency services during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In total, 10 search and seizure warrants are being carried out in homes, companies and offices linked to those involved in the scheme.

The addresses of the warrants are in the municipalities of Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Rio Claro (RJ), Pinheiral (RJ), Barra do Piraí (RJ) and Paraíba do Sul (RJ).

Also according to the Federal Police, investigations began in 2020 after an anonymous complaint reported irregularities in the process of “waiver of tenders related to the hiring of services for the installation of equipment in the field hospital set up in Volta Redonda, for the treatment of infected patients by Covid-19”.

“Among the frauds investigated, it is possible to highlight overpricing in the contracting of the aforementioned services; irregularities in the presentation of documents; targeting of the object to be contracted; collusion between companies, political agents and municipal employees; shell companies, among others”, he informed the PF.

Following this Tuesday’s investigation, the Federal Police intends to dismantle the group under investigation and find new evidence to clarify the case.

Those investigated may face charges of bidding crimes, criminal association, embezzlement and money laundering. Penalties range from 2 to 12 years in prison.