PF reveals suspicious 28 million reais scheme involving PL deputies

Summary
PF is investigating suspicious movements of BRL 28.6 million involving MPs Sóstenes Cavalcante and Carlos Jordy, suspected of embezzlement of the parliamentary quota, with sums seized and an investigation into a scheme with a shell company.

The Federal Police (PF) highlighted the existence of 28.6 million BRL in suspicious movements, without plausible justification, in the accounts held by advisors in the offices of deputies Sóstenes Cavalcante (PL-RJ) and Carlos Jordy (PL-RJ), suspected of deviations from the parliamentary quota.

The information is contained in the partial report of the PF, the secrecy of which was lifted by Minister Flávio Dino, rapporteur of the file at the Supreme Federal Court (STF), and which served as the basis for the Galho Fraco operation, launched on Friday 19, with parliamentarians among the targets.

The PF claims that public officials, commissioned employees and individuals acted in a coordinated manner to divert and conceal public resources from the parliamentary quota.

According to the investigation, the scheme involved payments to a car rental company that investigators believe would operate as a shell company to return the money to the office.

During the operation, the PF seized R$430,000 in cash at an address linked to MP Sóstenes Cavalcante, in Brasilia. The parliamentarian, leader of the PL in the House, declared that the amount is legal and would come from the sale of a property.

Sóstenes speaks after the PF operation and claims that R$430,000 came from real estate sales:

“Whoever wants to live off the money of corruption, let him put it elsewhere. I sold a property, the property was paid to me with legal money, it is sealed, it has its origins, so I have nothing to fear,” Sóstenes said.

Sóstenes also denied irregularities in the hiring of the car rental company that provides services to his office, one of the main focuses of the investigation.

Low Branch Operation

The PF seizes R$430,000 in cash from the home of Sóstenes Cavalcante, leader of the PL in the House:

This Friday, agents executed seven search and seizure warrants authorized by Dino with the approval of the Attorney General’s Office (PGR). Investigations included a personal, vehicle and property search of Jordy and Sóstenes.

On social media, Jordy said he was being sued by Dino and denied any illegal schemes. “Today, on my daughter’s birthday, the PF searched and seized my house again on the orders of Flávio Dino (STF minister). Implacable persecution!”, he wrote. (*With information from Estadão and Agência Brasil)