STJ postpones hearing on Pimentel's appeal.
The Special Court of the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) postponed the resumption of the trial of the appeal filed by the defense of the governor of Minas Gerais, Fernando Pimentel, to ensure prior authorization from the state's Legislative Assembly for the acceptance of the charges filed against him; the rapporteur of the case, Minister Herman Benjamin, requested the postponement due to a lack of quorum.
André Richter - Reporter for Agência Brasil
The Special Court of the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) postponed on Monday (1st) the resumption of the trial of the appeal filed by the defense of the governor of Minas Gerais, Fernando Pimentel, to guarantee prior authorization from the Legislative Assembly of the state for the receipt of the complaint filed against him. Pimentel was indicted in May for the crimes of corruption and money laundering in Operation Acrônimo, by the Federal Police (PF).
The trial began in June, but was interrupted by a request for review from Minister Luís Felipe Salomão. When opening today's session, the case rapporteur, Minister Herman Benjamin, requested the postponement due to lack of quorum. This Monday, the ministers returned from the July recess at the court. The case should be scheduled for Wednesday's session (3).
In the appeal, the defense argues that the court must consult the state assembly regarding the opening of the criminal case. The vote count is currently two votes against the governor.
Investigations
According to the Federal Police, there is evidence that the governor, from the Workers' Party (PT), when he was Minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, between 2011 and 2014, intervened to favor the automaker Caoa. In 2012, the ministry launched the Inovar Auto Program, which granted tax incentives to industries in the automotive sector.
To guarantee its continued participation in the program, Caoa allegedly paid R$ 2,1 million. According to the Federal Police, the money was transferred to two companies belonging to businessman Benedito Oliveira Neto – known as Bené, who is a whistleblower in Operation Acronym.
According to the investigations, Bené owns Gráfica Brasil – a printing company that did not provide services to the automaker and was only used to issue fraudulent invoices and receive funds. Bené also worked on Pimentel's campaign for governor of Minas Gerais in 2014, according to the Federal Police.
Since the first allegations surfaced, Pimentel's defense team has stated that they are unaware of the content of Bené's testimony and deny that the governor committed any irregularities. Caoa also denies paying bribes to obtain benefits.