Investigations point out that Marcelo Crivella operated a slush fund scheme during the municipal election and later as mayor of Rio.| Photo: Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil

Federal deputy and former mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Marcelo Crivella (Republicanos-RJ), became a defendant for having operated a slush fund scheme known as “QG da Propina”, operated during the city’s mayoral election in 2016 and municipal administration in the following years. The Public Ministry’s complaint was accepted by the Federal Court on January 26 and released this week. The defense believes in dismissing the case.

According to the action, confirmed to People’s Gazette by the Regional Electoral Court (TRE-RJ), another eight people are also being investigated by the Electoral Justice. (see in full)

The complaint points out that the scheme would have started between the first and second rounds of the municipal election in 2016 and continued during Crivella’s management for the following years. Investigations showed that companies paid to have easy access to contracts through a city entrepreneur.

In a note, Crivella’s defense stated that “the Electoral Public Prosecutor’s Office itself stated two years ago, there is no evidence against the former mayor that would justify criminal prosecution”, and that it believes in the filing of the complaint.

Investigations led to Crivella’s arrest at the end of 2020 just nine days before the end of the term. Crivella was released in February of the following year by a decision by Minister Gilmar Mendes, of the Federal Supreme Court (STF).