Rio Governor’s Campaign Alleged to Have Received Slush Funds

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The whistleblower is Daniel Gomes da Silva and he says that mid last year he transferred amounts through a slush fund – the amount is being kept confidential – to the governor’s envoys.

He is said to have donated the money to get closer to Witzel’s political group.

At the time, Witzel appeared below ten percent in polls and the election was expected to be disputed between Eduardo Paes and Romário or Garotinho.

As a result of Daniel’s denunciation, on Tuesday, December 17th, the pre-trial detention of former governor of Paraíba Ricardo Coutinho was ordered.

In addition to Ricardo Coutinho, deputies, mayors, and secretaries are targets of Operation’ Calvário – Juízo Final’ (“Calvary – Last Judgement”), by the Federal Police.

There are 54 search and seizure and 17 pre-trial detention warrants, in the states of Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio de Janeiro, Goiás and Paraná.

More: Brazil news in English, every day from The Rio Times.