The Federal Police launched five simultaneous operations this Wednesday (8), against an organization investigated for embezzling public funds in the municipalities of Sergipe and Alagoas, in addition to committing crimes against the national financial system and loan sharking.
During the actions, as reported by the corporation, warrants were served in 13 cities in Brazil, including Dias d’Ávila and Alagoinhas, in Bahia. See the list below:
- Aracaju (SE)
- Barra dos Coqueiros (SE)
- Lizard (SE)
- São Domingos (SE)
- Itabaiana (SE)
- Maceió (AL)
- Piaçabuçu (AL)
- Marshal Deodoro (AL)
- Campo Alegre (AL)
- Arapiraca (AL)
- Dias D’Ávila (BA)
- Alagoinhas (BA)
- Santo Ângelo (RS)
In total, there were 33 search and seizure warrants, 3 suspension warrants from public service, in addition to the seizure of goods and valuables, granted by the Federal Courts of Sergipe, Alagoas and Bahia, in addition to the State Court of Sergipe.
The actions were attended by 130 federal police officers and auditors from the Federal Comptroller General (CGU).
Investigation history
The five operations are developments of the investigation started in 2020 (Operation Palude), which aimed to investigate the suspected diversion of public resources intended to combat COVID-19, in the municipality of Pacatuba/SE.
The investigations carried out by the Federal Police confirmed the CGU’s suspicions regarding the occurrence of irregularities in the contracting and execution of services and, also, in the allocation of resources to that municipality, in an amount exceeding R$ 1 million.
The investigation ended up uncovering the existence of a criminal organization operating for more than a decade in northeastern states, including Sergipe, Alagoas, Bahia and Rio Grande do Norte. In some cases, those investigated established illicit relationships with public agents with the aim of diverting resources.
Operations details
The investigative procedure comprised five distinct operational actions related to the activities of the investigated criminal group:
Operation Palude (3rd phase)
With the purpose of repressing the practice of fraud aimed at concealing the assets acquired by the criminal organization, as well as identifying and sequestering movable, immovable and moving assets previously unknown to the bodies responsible for criminal prosecution, in order to ensure compensation for losses caused as a result of the signing of contracts totaling approximately R$45 million.
In this sense, 17 rural properties, approximately a dozen urban properties, vehicles and valuables were kidnapped.
Preliminary analyzes showed suspicious banking transactions in amounts exceeding R$860 million in the period considered to be just two years and 10 months by the individuals and legal entities investigated.
Operation Well 17
With the aim of deepening investigations into possible crimes of bid fraud, embezzlement of public resources and criminal organization, carried out in collusion with public agents in the municipality of São Domingos/SE.
The frauds relate to a contract signed for the supply of vehicles to the municipality, with evidence of non-provision of contracted services, in an amount exceeding R$2.4 million.
Operation Palmeiras
With the aim of deepening investigations into possible crimes of bid fraud, embezzlement of public resources and criminal organization, carried out in collusion with public agents in the municipality of Piaçabuçu/AL. The frauds relate to contracts signed to provide services to the municipality, in the amount of approximately R$5 million.
Operation Imperdiet
With the aim of deepening investigations into possible crimes against the national financial system, through the fraudulent contracting and allocation of loans in financial institutions, in amounts that can exceed R$1 million.
It appears that the resources would be used for personal purposes, as well as working capital for the criminal organization.
Operation Detour
With the aim of deepening investigations into possible crimes of loan sharking, whose informal contracts were intended to fund the criminal organization.
Crimes
According to the Federal Police, those involved will be responsible for committing crimes of passive corruption, active corruption, embezzlement, improper dismissal from bidding, bidding fraud, criminal organization and money laundering, crimes against the national financial system, among others.
Tags: Operations embezzlement public funds fulfill warrants Bahia
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