Secretary resigns after "unfounded accusation"
Antonio Donato, Secretary of Government for Mayor Fernando Haddad, has decided to step down after being mentioned in wiretaps related to the investigation against the tax inspector mafia. In a statement, he affirms that he will resume his term as city councilman and defend himself against the "unfounded accusations." Donato also emphasizes that there was an "orchestration by the investigated officials to involve him recklessly" in the case. Earlier, he was defended by Haddad, who said that the gang approached Donato to try to "protect themselves."
247 - The municipal secretary of government of São Paulo, Antonio Donato, decided to step down from his position after being mentioned in recordings from the investigation against a group of tax inspectors in the city. Earlier today, he was defended by Mayor Fernando Haddad (PT), who said that those involved in the scheme sought out Donato to try to "protect themselves" (read more). here).
The secretary announced in a statement that he will resume his term as city councilor in São Paulo, "where he can, with the utmost freedom, defend himself against unfounded accusations attributed to the gang of municipal employees who defrauded the ISS (municipal tax)." A name being considered to take his place is the current Health Secretary, José de Fillipe Jr.
Still in the text, Antonio Donato says that there was "an orchestration by the investigated officials to involve him in a frivolous way and thus hinder the course of the investigations" against the so-called tax inspector mafia in the capital of São Paulo. In announcing his resignation, he emphasizes the risk of "the gang trying to target the PT government in the city of São Paulo and jeopardize the progress of the investigations."
Donato was accused of receiving campaign funds originating from a scheme involving tax inspectors who received bribes to reduce the collection of the ISS tax from companies, causing a loss of up to R$ 500 million in municipal coffers. According to the allegations, those under investigation turned to Donato for help when they learned they were implicated in the investigation.