AL-BA distributed scholarships to politicians and businessmen.
With the distribution of scholarships for this year still suspended by the State Public Prosecutor's Office, following an investigation into irregularities by the institution, the student scholarships paid by the Legislative Assembly of Bahia (AL-BA) have once again become the subject of controversy after the Folha de São Paulo newspaper published that the benefit served to favor campaign donors, politicians, businessmen, and relatives of state deputies; instead of assisting students who cannot afford the costs of college, the program, in some cases, was allegedly diverted to political campaigns, removing a total of R$19 million from public funds.
Lilian Machado/Tribuna da Bahia - With the distribution for this year still suspended by the State Public Prosecutor's Office (MPE), after irregularities were found by the institution, the student scholarships paid by the Legislative Assembly were once again the subject of controversy, yesterday (1st), after Folha de São Paulo published that the benefit served to favor campaign donors, politicians, businessmen and relatives of state deputies from Bahia. Instead of helping students who cannot afford to pay for college, the program, in some cases, was allegedly diverted to political campaigns, taking a total of R$19 million from public coffers.
Despite the repercussions regarding the program's management practices, a topic that dominated local news in 2014, the issue was not conclusively debated by the plenary of the State Court of Auditors (TCE), the body responsible for judging the accounts of the Bahia Legislative Assembly. To date, only the Public Prosecutor's Office has investigated the program, and a Conduct Adjustment Agreement (TAC) was signed with the Assembly.
According to an investigation by Folha, based on information from the Meu Congresso Nacional portal, which publishes information about parliamentary activities in the country, 80 campaign donors were identified as beneficiaries of the program, having disbursed approximately R$ 330 to candidates in Bahia. In some cases, the deputies who granted the aid themselves received the donations, totaling R$ 163.
Among those who allegedly received donations from program beneficiaries are federal deputies Márcio Marinho and Tia Eron, both from the PRB party, as well as state deputy Sildevan Nóbrega, also from the PRB, who raised R$ 48 from eight scholarship recipients. Another name on the list is former state deputy Deraldo Damasceno (PSL), who allegedly profited from R$ 34 from three scholarship recipients who worked for him and received R$ 14 in scholarships each. He is said to have received the largest amount. Deputy Augusto Castro (PSDB) also appears among the names, having benefited from R$ 22 in scholarships from a single employee. R$ 15 was donated to the deputy's campaign.
The list of needy candidates receiving scholarships was surprising, including newly elected congressman Alex Lima (PTN), Salvador city councilman Luiz Carlos (PRB), federal deputy candidate Roberto Pina (PMDB), and Caravelas vice-mayoral candidate Raquel Boa Morte (PSD). Relatives of political leaders are also among them, such as the niece of Vice-Governor João Leão (PP), Karine Pepe de Souza Leão Cavalcanti. In addition, a relative of former congressman Yulo Oiticica (PT) appears, as well as a cousin and four nieces of the House Speaker, Congressman Marcelo Nilo (PDT).
Each member of parliament received R$ 10 to benefit needy people, and they themselves were responsible for managing the selection of beneficiaries. There is no need for proof of need, and the person only signs a statement declaring their lack of financial means.
The public prosecutor stated last year that the lack of documentation showing this situation could indicate the existence of fraud in the program. More than three thousand people participated in the program between 2011 and 2014. The report showed that 13 relatives of politicians, four candidates, and four businessmen were favored with the scholarships. Among those identified as businessmen is the owner of the Babesp research institute, Roberto Matos.