PGR denounces the governor of Mato Grosso do Sul, the Batista brothers and 21 others for corruption | Politics

The case will be judged by the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) because, as governor, Azambuja has a privileged forum in the court. In a statement, the politician said that he had not guaranteed the right to a broad defense and that he received the complaint “with indignation.”

“I received the MPF’s complaint with indignation and I await, with serenity, the opportunity to assert the right to a broad defense, until this moment is not granted. Now, within the Judiciary, I am fully convinced that the truth will prevail. “, says Reinaldo Azambuja.

THE G1 awaits the return of the defense of the others mentioned.

According to the MPF, the governor of MS and the other defendants received R $ 67 million in bribes between 2014 and 2016. In exchange, says the Public Ministry, public agents guaranteed exemptions and tax benefits to the JBS business group in amounts that exceed R $ 209 million.

In the complaint, the MPF requests conviction for the crimes, loss of public office for the rulers and payment of compensation, for collective moral damage, amounting to R $ 277 million.

Former MS Finance Secretary and current advisor to the State Court of Accounts, Márcio Campos Monteiro, is also on the list of respondents. The other 20 names were not published by the MPF.

The complaint was offered by the Deputy Attorney General of the Republic Lindôra Araújo and includes evidence obtained in Operation Vostok and shared evidence of Operation Asphalt Lama, awarded collaboration agreements and violation of telephone and banking secrets of those involved.

Cross scheme governments

According to the deputy, the corruption scheme between JBS and the government of Mato Grosso do Sul has been going on since at least 2003, involving successive governors.

Prosecutors claim that even in the 2014 election campaign, Azambuja sought out businessmen for donations. As of that moment, according to the complaint, negotiations began to maintain the criminal scheme, if elected.

Joesley and Wesley Batista signed a plea agreement with the Attorney General’s Office (PGR), ratified by the Federal Supreme Court and later rescinded by the PGR for breach of clauses. With that, the two businessmen were denounced.

Since the STF has not yet approved the termination of the complaint, Lindôra asked the STJ to suspend the criminal proceedings against the two businessmen. When the analysis of the Supreme Court is completed, the STJ may proceed with the process against you.

Also according to the complaint, Reinaldo Azambuja used the position of governor to exercise command of the criminal organization. He asked for and accepted a promise of undue advantages conveyed by the JBS company, says the MPF.

Lindôra Araújo points out, as the company’s counterpart, the granting of illegal tax benefits through the subscription of Special Regime Contract Conditions (Taras) or additives.

The MPF estimates that Approximately 30% of the amounts that JBS did not collect in the public coffers as taxes were transferred to the criminal organization.. The agreements were signed by Márcio Campos Monteiro, as Secretary of the Treasury.

The payment of undue advantages, says the complaint, was made in three ways:

• official electoral donations, which were subsequently deducted from a “bribery account” maintained by JBS;
• through cold invoices issued by companies and ranchers designated by Azambuja himself, without due consideration for products or services and with the amounts reverted directly or indirectly for the benefit of the governor;
• and through the delivery of cash in kind to emissaries of Azambuja.

The main operator of the scheme, says the MP, was the son of the governor, Rodrigo Souza e Silva – he also denounced.

The MPF affirms that the violation of the telephone confidentiality of the investigated confirms Azambuja’s presence at the JBS headquarters in São Paulo on at least two occasions. The complaint also collects evidence with dates and times for the delivery of cash in kind, by JBS employees, to the scheme operators.

The MP also points out that the deliveries were accompanied by Azambuja’s son, who called the operator in charge of receiving them and then the father.

In addition, says the MPF, Wesley Batista said in a statement that R $ 12 million were transferred to Azambuja in cash through deliveries to operators in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

See below for notes sent to G1 those cited in the complaint.

• Reinaldo Azambuja, governor of MS (PSDB)