Brazilian Federal Police launch operation against vote buying and selling at the TRF5 (Regional Federal Court of the 5th Region).
The Federal Police and the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office in Rio Grande do Norte launched an operation this Wednesday (30), targeting a group that allegedly orchestrated the buying and selling of votes from magistrates who were members of a panel of the Regional Federal Court of the 5th Region (TRF5); Operation Alcmeon is carrying out warrants in the cities of Natal, Mossoró (RN) and Recife; the group is allegedly made up of lawyers and a former judge, who would mediate the sale of votes in criminal sentences for the release of prisoners, mitigating circumstances and the release of seized assets; in a statement released by the corporation, the Federal Police cites the case of a former mayor who had his sentence reduced from 28 years in prison to two years and eight months.
Brazil Agency - The Federal Police (PF) and the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office in Rio Grande do Norte (MPF/RN) launched an operation today (30), targeting a group that allegedly orchestrated the buying and selling of votes from judges who are members of a panel of the Regional Federal Court of the 5th Region (TRF5). Operation Alcmeon is carrying out warrants in the cities of Natal, Mossoró (RN) and Recife.
Two preventive arrest warrants, eight warrants for coercive questioning, and 13 search and seizure warrants were issued. In total, 70 federal police officers are working on the operation, whose name comes from a character in Greek mythology who, according to the Federal Police, is related to betrayal and breach of trust.
The group targeted in the operation allegedly consisted of lawyers and a former judge who brokered the sale of votes in criminal sentences to secure the release of prisoners, reduced sentences, and the release of seized assets. In a statement released by the agency, the Federal Police cited the case of a former mayor whose sentence was reduced from 28 years to two years and eight months.
According to investigators, the main beneficiaries would be politicians, and the group allegedly acted in the case investigated by Operation Capital Sin, which pointed to the misappropriation of funds from the Institute of Weights and Measures in Rio Grande do Norte. There are also indications of "exploitation of prestige" in cases related to Operation Lava Jato.
The scheme was uncovered following a plea bargain agreement with a businessman from Rio Grande do Norte. According to the Federal Police, the accused reported that he had received benefits from the group on at least two occasions. Those involved allegedly charged around R$ 350 for the service.
The targets of Operation Alcmeon are also accused of criminal association, production and use of falsified documents, and money laundering.
More details will be released at a press conference held by the Federal Police (PF) in Rio Grande do Norte on Wednesday morning.
Target in Recife
In Recife, a warrant for coercive questioning – when a person is compelled to appear at the Federal Police headquarters to provide clarification – was served on a 58-year-old state public servant, a resident of the Boa Viagem neighborhood. He was indicted for the crime of active corruption. After being questioned early in the morning at the Federal Police headquarters in Pernambuco, he was released and will respond to the investigation while at liberty.
The Federal Regional Court of the 5th Region was contacted for comment, but there was no response by the time of publication.