Janot creates task force to investigate Operation Zelotes.

The Superior Council of the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF) approved the creation of a task force to work specifically within the scope of Operation Zelotes, which investigates cases of corruption in the Administrative Tax Appeals Council (Carf); the coordination of the group will be the responsibility of the Federal Prosecutor Frederico Paiva, who is already involved in investigations related to the irregularities found in Carf.

April 07, 2015, 18:42 hUpdated July 11, 2018, 18:27 pm

The Superior Council of the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF) approved the creation of a task force to act specifically within the scope of Operation Zelotes, which investigates cases of corruption in the Administrative Tax Appeals Council (Carf); the coordination of the group will be the responsibility of the Federal Prosecutor Frederico Paiva, who is already involved in investigations related to the irregularities found in Carf (Photo: Paulo Emílio).

247 - The Superior Council of the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) approved, this Tuesday (7), the creation of a task force to act specifically within the scope of Operation Zelotes, which investigates cases of corruption in the Administrative Tax Appeals Council (Carf). The coordination of the group will be the responsibility of the Public Prosecutor Frederico Paiva, who already works on investigations related to the irregularities found in Carf.

The creation of a task force was suggested by Paiva to the Attorney General of the Republic and president of the Superior Council of the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office, Rodrigo Janot, due to the large volume of information and evidence in the case. Investigations indicate that the scheme dismantled at CARF may have resulted in losses of around R$ 19 billion to public coffers. In addition to Paiva, three other prosecutors will be assigned to work directly on the case.

Below is a news report from Agência Brasil:

Brazil's Attorney General's Office creates task force to intensify investigations into Operation Zelotes.

André Richter - The Superior Council of the Federal Public Ministry authorized today (7) the creation of a task force to intensify the investigations of Operation Zelotes, by the Federal Police, which investigates fraud in cases judged by the Administrative Council of Tax Appeals (Carf).

The investigation is being coordinated by federal prosecutor Frederico Paiva and will be reinforced by prosecutors José Alfredo Silva, Raquel Branquinho, and Rodrigo Leite Prado. According to Paiva, the participation of more prosecutors is necessary given the volume of evidence that must be analyzed, such as hours of wiretapped phone conversations, thousands of emails exchanged between the accused, as well as banking and tax data.

Launched on March 26, Operation Zelotes uncovered a fraud scheme at CARF (Administrative Council of Tax Appeals), through which a gang, according to the Federal Police, conducted a "survey" of large cases at the council, sought out companies with high tax debts, and offered "favors," such as the annulment of fines.