Stained with money in underwear, Senator Chico Rodrigues extends his license from 90 to 121 days | Politics

The request was accepted by the president of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre (DEM-AP). Who must assume the mandate is the first substitute, Pedro Arthur Ferreira Rodrigues, son of the parliamentarian. Chico Rodrigues’ initial 90-day license application would not result in an alternate being called. Now, with a license of more than 120 days, Pedro Arthur Rodrigues will be summoned.

Chico Rodrigues was caught with $ 33,000 worth of underwear last week. The money was found during an operation that carried out search and seizure warrants at the parliamentarian’s house. The DEM, a party to which Chico Rodrigues is affiliated, asked the STF to access the investigations.

The operation investigates the alleged diversion of public funds in Roraima. Rodrigues denies the charges and says the money would be used to pay employees.

• Senator with money in underwear: what is known so far
• Andreia Sadi: the backstage of Rodrigues license

After last week’s operation, the political parties presented a representation in the Senate Ethics Council to revoke the mandate of Chico Rodrigues.

The senator’s allies, however, spent this Monday (19) drawing up an agreement for Chico Rodrigues to obtain the license. The president of the Ethics Council, Jayme Campos (DEM-MT), suggested that the senator retire for 121 days.

Rodrigues’ case is also being analyzed by the Federal Supreme Court. That is because Minister Luis Roberto Barroso ordered the senator to leave, but he presented the decision to the full court. The president of the STF, Luiz Fux, scheduled the trial of the case for this Wednesday (21).

The defense of Chico Rodrigues informed the STF on Tuesday of the removal of the parliamentarian. This defense understands, with the most respectful obeisances, that the trial scheduled for the plenary session of 10/21/2020 is deteriorated ”, added the lawyers.

When deciding to remove Rodrigues, Minister Luís Roberto Barroso transcribed part of the Federal Police report on last week’s operation. The text describes the seizure of money at the senator’s house, in Boa Vista (RR), and the attempt to hide money in underwear.

“We searched the safe located in the room of Mr. Pedro Rodrigues, the senator’s son, in which no values ​​or documents related to the investigated events were found. However, at that time, Senator Chico Rodrigues asked Delegate Wedson if he could go to the Delegate Wedson said yes, but informed that he would accompany him ”, says the PF report.

“At this time, Congressman Wedson noticed that there was a large volume, rectangular in shape, on the back of Senator Chico Rodrigues’ robe, who was wearing blue shorts (like pajamas) and a yellow shirt. Considering the volume and its shape, Congressman Wedson suspected that the senator was hiding values ​​or even a cell phone, ”the document continues.

The report also says that, when asked about “volume,” Chico Rodrigues denied any wrongdoing. The deputy who commanded the search and seizure then decided to conduct a personal search for the senator. The action was filmed, but the video was kept confidential.

“When making a personal search on Senator Chico Rodrigues, at first, he found bundles of money inside his underwear, near his buttocks, that totaled R $ 15,000.00”, says the PF report.

The investigation of the Federal Police and the General Comptroller’s Office of the Union (CGU) investigates deviations of around R $ 20 million in parliamentary amendments aimed at combating the new coronavirus pandemic in Roraima.

According to the PF, a criminal group made up of politicians, officials and businessmen manipulated bids to hire certain companies by the State Health Secretariat (Sesau) of Roraima.

CGU identified signs of overpricing and overpricing in the contracts made by the portfolio in the purchase of items such as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and rapid detection tests by Covid-19.

According to the investigation, there are indications that the senator used his political influence to favor private companies linked to him during the bidding processes that were carried out in the pandemic. The scheme, according to the PF, had the presence of politicians, businessmen and officials.

What Chico Rodrigues says

The senator has denied all the accusations and affirms not to be related to any illicit act. In a note, the parliamentarian stated:

“I repeat, throughout my 30 years of public life, I have dedicated my life to the people of Roraima and Brazil, and I will continue firmly towards the development of my nation.”