Prosecutors Find Millions in Cash in Home of Rio Ex-Secretary of Health Edmar Santos

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Prosecutor’s Office operation that arrested the former Rio de Janeiro Health Secretary Edmar Santos on Friday, July 9th, found millions of reais in cash in his home. According to the agents’ initial count, at least R$6 million (US$1.2 million) were found. The money was in a house in Itaipava, in the Serrana Region north of Rio.

Imprisonment in Botafogo

Santos was arrested at home yesterday morning in Botafogo, in the South Zone of Rio. After being taken to the local precinct and then to the Forensic Institute, the ex-secretary was conducted to the State Police Detention Facility in Niterói, in the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro.

The ex-secretary is under investigation for suspected irregularities in Rio de Janeiro’s health contracts during the Covid-19 pandemic, and could be held liable for embezzlement – corruption committed by public officials – and forming a criminal organization, according to the Rio de Janeiro Prosecutor’s Office (MPRJ).

Audio recordings support indictment

The prosecutors submitted evidence that the ex-secretary himself was liaising with companies interested in engaging with the Secretariat. On certain occasions, Santos would appoint in advance those who would be hired in administrative proceedings that were to come, according to the MPRJ.

In an audio conversation on cell phone with his number two, Gabriel Neves, Edmar Santos ordered the creation of a “secret list” of those who would be suppliers for the portfolio.

“(…)List all the addresses of medicine, medical material and equipment suppliers here in Rio de Janeiro for me. All of those warehouses’ addresses, leave a secret list there with you. Only you and I will have access to it,” instructed Santos to Gabriell Neves, who is also in prison.

R$1 billion in emergency contracts

In addition, there are suspicions of irregularities in contracts awarded without bids. Among them are the purchase of ventilators, oximeters and drugs, as well as the hiring of private beds. The Rio de Janeiro government spent R$1 billion to sign emergency contracts.

Of the 1,000 ventilators purchased by the portfolio, only 52 were delivered and were unsuitable for Covid-19 patients. The contracts were signed with three companies, also under investigation.

A further 97 imported devices arrived in late June and are currently being held at Rio’s Tom Jobim International Airport (Galeão) cargo terminal.

Source: G1