RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – In the video recorded during the Cabinet meeting on April 22nd, President Jair Bolsonaro allegedly advocated a change in command of Rio’s Federal Police (PF) in an attempt to shield his family and friends from being “harmed” by ongoing investigations.
But how many of Bolsonaro’s relatives, in addition to his sons Carlos and Flávio, are under investigation in Rio?
Carlos and Flávio Bolsonaro are the targets of five investigations by the Rio Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP) regarding “ghost” employees in their respective office staffs and the kickback of part of their salaries, a practice known as ‘splitting’. In both cases, the President’s relatives are investigation targets.
In Carlos‘ case, there are seven relatives. Ana Cristina Siqueira Valle, the President’s ex-wife, who was chief of staff for her #2 son, and six other of her relatives are being investigated.
In Flávio‘s case, there are another 12. Among them are his grandfather, João Braga, his cousin Léo Índio and ten other relatives of Ana Cristina, including his former father-in-law José Procópio Valle. Fabrício Queiroz, a friend of the President, and his relatives are also among the list of those under investigation.
Although the Federal Police is not in charge of these investigations [the Federal Public Prosecuror’s Office is separate from the Federal Police], two inquiries have been ongoing since 2018. The PF ran an electoral inquiry until March this year to determine whether Senator Flávio Bolsonaro had been engaged in money laundering and electoral misrepresentation in declaring his assets in the 2014, 2016, and 2018 elections.
This proceeding was initiated after a citizen denounced the Senator’s financial statements filed with the Electoral Court. Flávio valued the same apartment differently. The PF closed the case without breaching fiscal or banking confidentiality.
The investigation was conducted until March, when it was forwarded to the Judiciary with a request to close the case as it had found no evidence of the crimes in question. However, in Rio’s MP investigation, prosecutors point out evidence that the wages kicked back would be laundered through the purchase of real estate. Part of the investigation involves precisely the property targeted by the PF investigation. However, the MP has not yet wrapped up the case and the senator denies the charges.
In addition, the Rio de Janeiro PF Financial Crimes and Corruption department is conducting an investigation into Queiroz. Early last year, an individual whose identity has been kept confidential was summoned to testify, and over the course of the inquiry was questioned about Queiroz and his activities at the ALERJ (Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro).
Queiroz’s defense applied for access to the case file in August last year, but the judge denied it, because the Federal Police reported that Queiroz was not being formally investigated and the reference to him had been in the COAF (Council for Financial Activities Control) report in which an atypical transfer of R$1.2 million was recorded in his account. This investigation is still in progress.
In addition, in late October, a statement from the gatekeeper of Bolsonaro’s condominium in Rio became public. He told the investigating Civil Police that one of the murderers of city councilor Marielle Franco had asked to go to Bolsonaro’s house on the day of the crime – a version disproved by a Prosecutor’s Office examination of the gatehouse audios.
The President perceived in the incident persecution against him and his family by governor Witzel. So he asked Moro for an investigation. The PF launched an inquiry and interviewed the gatekeeper, who reversed his position.
Bolsonaro feels there was no effort to shield him. The inquiry is being closed and the gatekeeper will not be indicted.
Source: O Globo