Under Bolsonaro, the military illegally squandered money meant for fighting Covid-19 on snacks and steak, says the TCU (Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts).
The expenses were identified after an analysis of R$ 15,6 million in expenditures made as reimbursement for logistical support provided during the pandemic.
247 - Resources made available by the Ministry of Health to combat Covid-19 were spent irregularly by the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces during Jair Bolsonaro's (PL) administration, according to an audit conducted by the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU). Folha de S. PaulThe TCU's conclusion was based on an analysis of R$ 15,6 million in expenses incurred by the ministry and the Armed Forces as reimbursement for logistical support provided in actions during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
Among the irregularities found, the TCU (Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts) highlighted expenditures of R$ 256,000 by the Army to acquire "typical savory snacks to be served at cocktail parties, ice cream, and soft drinks. Funds allocated for Covid-19 reimbursement were used in these cases." The auditors' assessment is that, due to their usual purpose and low nutritional value, the food "most likely would not have been used to supplement the food supply for troops employed in Operation Covid-19."
“Furthermore, there was a purchase of 12 kilos of prime cuts of beef (fillet mignon and picanha) for R$ 447, made by only two military organizations. According to the document, this expenditure represents 22% of the total spent by all Army units on beef in general, which was R$ 2 million acquired by 45 military organizations,” the report emphasizes.
The TCU (Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts) notes that although an internal Army regulation authorizes the purchase of prime cuts of beef, the public administration must observe the principles of reasonableness and public interest, in addition to the principle of legality.
According to the TCU (Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts), almost 50% of the Army's food expenses benefited organizations that did not have troops, indicating that they would hardly be used in field operations.
"In this sense, it is understood that the use of resources so dear to society, originating from federal debts that further aggravated the economic and social crisis experienced by Brazil, for the acquisition of luxury goods, when cheaper alternatives were available that equally fulfilled the intended purpose, violated such principles," the document states.
The auditors also found that approximately 50% of the Army's food expenses benefited organizations that did not have troops and, therefore, are not usually employed in field operations. Part of the resources – totaling approximately R$ 1,8 million – was also allegedly spent on the maintenance of real estate that did not meet the requirements of unpredictability and urgency.
In a statement, the Army reported that "the Force has been making every effort to fully meet the demands and guidelines received from the TCU (Federal Court of Accounts) and has been working, through its Internal Control System, to promote transparency and the correct application of public resources." The press offices of the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces did not comment on the matter.