Codevasf suspends contracts after operation against Juscelino – 09/02/2023 – Power

The president of Codevasf (Development Company of the São Francisco and Parnaíba Valleys), Marcelo Andrade Moreira Pinto, determined the suspension of all contracts held with Construservice, the target of an investigation by the Federal Police aimed at the Minister of Communications of the Lula government (PT), Juscelino Filho (União Brasil-MA).

This Friday (1st) the Federal Police carried out search and seizure warrants. One of the targets of the search was Luanna Resende, sister of Juscelino and mayor of Vitorino Freire (MA). According to the investigation, the resources indicated by Juscelino were used in contracts with Construservice for works in the municipality. The company would have been hired in fraudulent notices.

According to a document signed by the president of Codevasf, the suspension took place in view of the information released by the Federal Police on Operation Benesse. The decision will allow Codevasf to analyze the set of information available on the subject and evaluate the institutional measures applicable to the case, with a view to guaranteeing the integrity of its actions.

Construservice won Codevasf trading sessions totaling R$ 527 million. Of this amount, Codevasf pledged R$ 139.4 million in contracts with the company. Of the total committed, only R$ 30.2 million was settled, corresponding to services effectively rendered.

The company also decided to forward for special auditing all the agreements maintained with the municipalities of Vitorino Freire, Bacabal and São Luís, regardless of which companies are responsible for carrying out the works and services linked to the agreements.

In a note, Codevasf informed that it collaborates with the work of the authorities since the first phase of the Odoacro operation, in July 2022. for his corrections.

The PF investigations into Construservice’s performance in Codevasf contracts originated in reports by Sheet Published in May 2022.

The newspaper revealed that the contractor had taken second place in the state-owned company’s bids despite evidence of crimes against its alleged de facto owner, businessman Eduardo José Costa Barros — also known as Eduardo Imperador or Eduardo DP. He was arrested in the early stages of the investigation, but was later released.

Codevasf, handed over by former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) to centrão parties in exchange for political support and maintained that way now by the Lula government, grew in contracts in the previous government and expanded its focus and area of ​​operation.

At the same time, the state-owned company has become one of the main instruments for disposing of the record amount of amendments, distributed to deputies and senators based on political criteria and which support the government in Congress —both under Bolsonaro and under Lula.