An investigation based on an award-winning collaboration points to Cláudio Castro allegedly involved in a corruption scheme in RJ.| Photo: Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil

Minister Raul Araújo, of the Superior Court of Justice (STJ), authorized the Federal Police of Rio de Janeiro to open an inquiry to investigate Governor Cláudio Castro (PL) for alleged involvement in a corruption scheme at the time he was councilor and vice governor.

The decision taken on April 15 was made public this Tuesday (18), and will investigate crimes of criminal organization, embezzlement, active and passive corruption and money laundering allegedly committed by Castro and three other people.

According to investigations by the Rio de Janeiro Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP-RJ), municipal and state social assistance projects would have had fraudulent bids directed at certain companies in exchange for bribes.

Suspicions against Castro arose from statements given in an award-winning collaboration by businessman Marcus Vinicius Azevedo da Silva, which would have detailed the governor’s participation in the alleged criminal organization.

Governor Cláudio Castro told CNN Brasil, in a note, that he is not being denounced or indicted, since “the Public Ministry did not find any element capable of linking him to any irregularity”. He also said that he trusts the Justice “so that the situation is clarified as soon as possible”.

According to Castro, the whistleblower was challenged in court for slander and slanderous denunciation and the governor’s defense has already filed a request for the nullity of the accusation due to irregularities in the complaint.