Plane owner denies pilot's claims and declares vote for Marcelo Miranda.

Tocantins 247 - Businessman Ronaldo Alves Japiassú, owner of the plane where R$ 504 in cash and campaign material for gubernatorial candidate Marcelo Miranda (PMDB) and federal deputy candidate Carlos Gaguim (PMDB) were seized in Piracanjuba (GO), spoke out for the first time since the incident. 

In a statement sent to T1 Notícias, Japiassú declared his vote for candidate Marcelo Miranda. "I have no doubt regarding my vote. I will vote for Marcelo Miranda. This is public knowledge in my city of Porto Nacional," he said. 

Japiassú confirmed ownership of the Seneca aircraft with registration PR GCM and stated that he occasionally lends the plane to friends. The businessman, owner of the construction company Alja, denied knowing that the plane would be used to transport money. "If I had known, I would have vetoed it," he asserted. 

In the statement, Ronaldo Japiassú denied the version of events given by the pilot of the seized plane, Roberto Carlos Maya Barbosa, who stated in his testimony to the Goiás Civil Police that the businessman "ordered him to use the plane to meet with a certain 'Cleanto,' a participant in the PMDB campaign in Tocantins." "I didn't speak with my pilot Roberto Maia, but I'm certain he also didn't know which aircraft would be used for that purpose! (It should be noted that he is married to a cousin and is someone I trust completely!)", says Ronaldo. 

Businessman Ronaldo Japiassú demonstrated little knowledge of Douglas Schmitt, identified by the Goiás police as the leader of the arrested group. "Of the other people, I know Douglas from my city; he calls himself a friend (a very strong word), as I've only met him a few times. We had a financial agreement, which he promised to settle, which is why I lent him the plane (debt). I don't know the other prisoners, nor those mentioned in the news report," he stated. 

Prisoners released

The Goiás court ordered the release on Sunday night, the 21st, of businessman Douglas Schimitt, pilot Roberto Carlos Maya Barbosa, as well as Marco Antonio Jaime Roriz, the driver of the seized Hillux, and Lucas Marinho Araújo, who lent the account where the amount of R$ 1,5 million was moved.

Read the full statement from businessman Ronaldo Japiassú. 

"Notice

1 – Alja Construction has been in the market for 25 years, focusing primarily on the private sector. 90% - Private sector, 10% public works.

2 – I agree with the government's statement regarding the works and contract values; the statement does not say that:

2.1 – The project worth R$ 17,400,000.00 was a tender under the RDC (Differentiated Contracting Regime), where Alja's price was more than R$ 10.000.000,00 lower than the second-place bidder (the project is in the design phase).

2.2 – The two projects from the previous government mentioned in the note were tendered and supervised by the World Bank; the price increase was R$ 600.000,00, lower than the second-placed project (PDRS).

2.3 – Which can be verified with a simple access to the Agetrans bidding department (Bingo! As Luiz Armando says in his excellent column)

2.4 – Regarding the asphalt paving project in Porto Nacional, I clarify that it is a subcontracted project. (I have no connection with the State)

3 – Regarding the aircraft seized in Pirancajuba:

3.1 – The airplane is my property, for company and personal use. (private works in Barreiras – BA, Araguaína – TO and Gurupi – TO) I occasionally lend it to friends.

3.2 – I didn't know the plane would be used to transport money (if I had known, I would have vetoed it).

3.3 – I have not lent or rented my plane to any political party or candidate (It has happened that I lent it to a friend who is now a candidate).

3.4 – I didn't speak with my pilot, Roberto Maia, but I'm sure he also didn't know which aircraft would be used for this purpose! (It should be noted that he is married to a cousin and is someone I trust completely!)

3.5 – Of the other people, I know Douglas from my city; he calls himself a friend (a very strong word), as I've only met him a few times. We had a financial agreement, which he promised to settle, so I lent him the plane. (Debt)

3.6 – I don't know the other prisoners, nor those mentioned in the news report.

4 – Regarding the plane used by the governor:

4.1 – I do not know Governor Sandoval or anyone in the government or his campaign coordination team.

4.2 – I owned only 1/3 of this aircraft, Pablo owned another 1/3, and the late Clayton Maia owned 1/3.

4.3 – It has been over a year since Clayton and I sold our share to Mr. Pablo. I hadn't transferred it yet because he still owed a portion to Clayton's daughter, and I was the guarantor of the transaction.

4.4 – This aircraft was transferred to a company owned by Mr. Rossini with the due authorization of Mr. Pablo.

4.5 – Regarding the rental and receipt of payments, I inform you that Alja has neither received nor issued any receipt. You should contact Mr. Pablo or Mr. Rossini, the current owner of the aircraft.

4.6 – Regarding Mr. Silvino, former mayor of Tocantínia, I say:

4.6.1 – This is a false statement when he says that sometimes I'm with Siqueira, sometimes with Marcelo Miranda. He has never seen me begging at the Palace gates. It's routine for him and his family.

4.6.2 – For Mr. Silvino's information, I affirm that in the last 12 years I voted for Marcelo Miranda and Gaguim.

4.6.3 – I have no doubt regarding my vote. I will vote for Marcelo Miranda. This is public knowledge in my city of Porto Nacional. I think he should declare his vote, as it seems he is trying to serve two masters.

Conclusion

It is regrettable that, due to a political dispute in which I am not involved, my name and that of my family are being exposed in the way it is in the media.

Ronaldo Alves Japiassú

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