Target of a Federal Police operation, Congressman Júnior Mano denies involvement in alleged scheme to divert amendments.

247 - Federal deputy Júnior Mano (PSB-CE) denied any involvement with fraud in bidding processes or administrative contracts after being targeted, this Tuesday (8), by an operation of the Federal Police (PF) authorized by the Supreme Federal Court (STF). The investigation is looking into the actions of an alleged criminal organization suspected of diverting public funds through schemes involving parliamentary funds and bidding processes.

In a statement released to the press, the congressman's office stated that he does not hold administrative positions in city halls and does not participate in bidding committees nor has any responsibility related to authorizing expenditures. "As a member of parliament, the congressman does not hold any executive or administrative positions in city halls, does not participate in bidding committees, authorize expenditures, or oversee administrative contracts," the text says, according to the source. Metropolis.

The press office also highlighted that Júnior Mano “reiterates his commitment to legality, transparency, and the honest exercise of public office,” in addition to expressing “confidence in the institutions,” with specific mention of the Judiciary and the Federal Judicial Police. At the end of the statement, the congressman affirms that he has “full conviction that, at the end of the investigation, the truth of the facts will prevail, with the complete clarification of the circumstances and the recognition of his correct conduct.”

Operation Underhand executed 15 search and seizure warrants, including at the congressman's official residence in Brasília, a property in Fortaleza, and his office in the Chamber of Deputies. The court orders were also carried out in the Ceará municipalities of Nova Russas, Eusébio, Canindé, and Baixio.

According to the Federal Police, "the investigated group is suspected of orchestrating the channeling of public funds to certain municipalities in Ceará in exchange for illicit financial kickbacks, as well as influencing bidding processes through companies linked to the group."

The investigation reached the Supreme Court after the Federal Police identified evidence that the congressman was "directly involved in the misappropriation of parliamentary amendments, used to fuel the (vote-buying) scheme and consolidate his political support base." According to the police, the misappropriated funds were allegedly destined for specific municipalities.

Júnior Mano's name appeared in the investigation following a complaint filed by the mayor of Canindé during the 2022 campaign. She pointed to alleged electoral crimes attributed to the congressman and an ally, who currently holds the position of mayor in Choró, also in Ceará. 

According to the complaint, Júnior Mano passed on amendments to the mayor, who would be responsible for "laundering" the funds. The suspicions involve the crimes of criminal organization, illegal vote buying, money laundering, and falsification of documents for electoral purposes, according to the Federal Police.