MPRJ investigates expenses of R$ 1 million in the campaign of Minister of Tourism

Minister Daniela Carneiro, of Tourism, is being investigated by the Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro for spending BRL 1.092 million on two printing companies during the 2022 election campaign, one of which does not perform the services it offers, as declared to the Superior Court Elections (TSE).

Daniela ran for the position of federal deputy in Rio de Janeiro for União Brasil, which placed her on the Esplanada in exchange for support for the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT).

The MPRJ confirmed that the case is under investigation by a group of prosecutors, but that it will not comment so as not to prejudice the investigations. The minister was sought by the People’s Gazettebut did not comment until the closing of this report.

According to the investigation, Daniela spent the funds on two printers belonging to Filipe de Souza Pegado, a former employee of the Belford Roxo city hall, who has her husband, Waguinho, as mayor.

In all, according to official data from the TSE (see in full), BRL 561.5 thousand were spent with Rubra Editora e Gráfica, located in Rio de Janeiro, in fractional payments in 224 deposits of BRL 140 to BRL 14 thousand . Another R$530,700 was spent on Printing Mídia Ltda, located in the city of São João de Meriti (RJ).

Daniela opened the first crisis of the Lula government

Daniela Carneiro was the pivot of the first crisis in the Lula government in January, when it was revealed that she and her husband were involved with the former military policeman and militiaman Juracy Alves Prudêncio, known as “Jura”. The episode also exposed a split in União Brasil in support of the Planalto Palace.

Daniela and Waguinho are affiliated to the party and have a close relationship with “Jura”, convicted and imprisoned on charges of having led a militia in the Baixada Fluminense, in Rio de Janeiro.

The former military police officer was mentioned in the final report of the CPI on the Militias of the Legislative Assembly of Rio (Alerj), in 2008. The collegiate was chaired by the then state deputy Marcelo Freixo, current president of the Brazilian Agency for International Tourism Promotion (Embratur) .

In addition to Daniela, União Brasil also occupies the Ministry of Communications through Juscelino Filho and that of Integration and Regional Development, with Waldez Góes, who is affiliated with the PDT but will migrate to the party by agreement.

In a note, Daniela Carneiro stated, at the time, that she “does not condone any unlawful act” and that “the role of judging those who commit possible crimes is up to the Justice”. Regarding Jura’s support for her campaign in 2018, she reports having received the support of “thousands of voters in several municipalities in the state”.

“As for appointments in the City Hall of Belford Roxo, the Minister emphasizes that she has no interference, as the act is the exclusive competence of the Executive Branch”, he added.