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The more than 400 pages of the Federal Prosecutor’s file detailing the corruption charges of the Wilson Witzel government show that there are many similarities between the current governor’s supposed plan with that practiced by former governor Sérgio Cabral and, in part, also Luiz. Fernando Pezão, who according to the MPF continued with the crimes of the predecessor.
“We saw ourselves as in a distortion of time, reviewing old facts that we had already investigated, but now with other characters,” said US Attorney Eduardo El Hage.
On Friday (28), the federal police and state prosecutors complied with the measures determined by Minister Benedito Gonçalves, of the Superior Court of Justice. 83 search and seizure warrants, 16 prison terms and Governor Witzel’s term of six months were determined: Deputy Cláudio Castro took office, who is also under investigation but has not been removed from office.
Prosecutors say that, in the investigations, they found a criminal organization in the state government that replicated the scheme practiced by the last ex-governors.
Published documents show the common points:
- Money laundering law firm – Witzel would have used the woman’s office, Helena. Cabral, from Adriana Ancelmo’s office
- Securities carrier – In the case of Wilson Witzel, the Fênix company would be used to transport money; Cabral used TransExpert
- Doleiros in Uruguay – the two would use money changers from the neighboring country to launder money
- Cash payment – Daily expenses were paid in cash.
Witzel and his wife, Helena – Photo: Playback / TV Globo
The repetition that attracts the most attention is the participation of the first lady of the state: attorneys Helena Witzel and Adriana Ancelmo.
The investigation says that “the office of the First Lady, Helena Witzel, was used to cover up the payment of undue benefits to Governor Wilson José Witzel, in a typical corruption and money laundering scheme.”
However, there is a difference between first ladies. While Adriana Ancelmo had a renowned law firm, Helena was more discreet and newer in the business.
The MPF concluded that he had minor cases before Witzel became governor. After taking office, he closed four contracts with companies linked to Mario Peixoto and Gothardo Lopes Neto, a former mayor of Volta Redonda arrested in the operation on Friday.
Original image of Cabral with Adriana Ancelmo – Photo: Disclosure
The search and seizure carried out at the Laranjeiras Palace in May found that Governor Witzel used to pay for family expenses in kind: the children’s school: the language school for the children, the Clube Naval tuition fees. Tickets that, according to prosecutors, were paid in cash at the cashier’s mouth.
The investigators affirm that this procedure is part of a money laundering scheme, “like that of former governor Sérgio Cabral, who used the file to settle his financial obligations.”
Former Health Secretary Edmar Santos spoke about another similarity in corruption schemes: the use of a securities company to keep the bribe money. In the deposition, Santos said how the amounts would be distributed:
- 30% for Santos himself
- 20% for Witzel
- 20% for Pastor Everaldo
- 15% for Edson Torres
- 15% for Victor Barroso
The investigation found that Victor Barroso is a partner of the company Fênixx, carrier of securities, and would be the financial operator of the group.
Edmar Santos also said that after the cash transport company that worked for Cabral became involved in the investigations, Fênix also began transporting cash in kind and also participated in the investigations.
According to the investigations, Witzel had a representative in Uruguay (the name was not disclosed).
Cabral also did business, according to the MPF, with the money changers from the neighboring country: Vinícius Claret, known as Juca Bala, and Claudio Fernando de Souza.
Cabral, Pezão and Witzel. The similarities that the authorities found between the three governors was the origin of the name of the operation: Tris in Idem. “Tris” three times or “Tris” of sadness who settled in the Guanabara Palace and insists on staying.
Witzel’s attorney, Ricardo Sidi, said he will appeal against the governor’s removal decision because he understands it is illegal.
Helena Witzel’s attorney said there is nothing in the investigation record to suggest that Witzel’s wife was involved in any way in illegal acts. The defense also said it was “convinced that the prosecution will not be successful.”
