PT caucus denounces 'political action' by Federal Police at Marco Maia's house.
In a statement signed by leader Afonso Florence (PT-BA), PT deputies say that former Speaker of the House Marco Maia (PT-RS), the target of a search and seizure warrant by the Federal Police this Monday, the 5th, "has always been available to collaborate with the investigations initiated from the confession of a defendant"; the text "denounces the unnecessary sensationalism" and "questions the legal and political content" of the operation.
247 - In a statement signed by the leader of the PT (Workers' Party) caucus in the Chamber of Deputies, Afonso Florence (PT-BA), PT deputies stated that former Speaker of the House Marco Maia (PT-RS), the target of a search and seizure warrant by the Federal Police this Monday, the 5th, "has always been available to cooperate with the investigations initiated from the confession of a defendant." The text "denounces the unnecessary sensationalism" and "questions the legal and political content" of the operation. Read the full text below:
STATEMENT FROM THE PT CAUCUS IN THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES
The PT (Workers' Party) caucus denounces the unnecessary sensationalism surrounding the Federal Police action carried out today at the residence of federal deputy Marco Maia (PT-RS) to execute a search and seizure warrant. Marco Maia has always been available to cooperate with investigations initiated based on the testimony of a confessed defendant, without any evidence justifying the exposure and attack on his image, as occurred with today's operation. Therefore, the caucus denounces the manner and questions the legal and political content of the Federal Police action.
During his work as rapporteur for the Petrobras Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPMI) in 2014, Marco Maia acted transparently, and all his decisions were public and approved by the Commission's board, including the final report. In that report, Congressman Marco Maia indicted 53 people and requested the investigation of 20 companies by the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) for cartel practices. Among those indicted was Nestor Cerveró, who was first identified as one of those involved in the corruption schemes that plagued Petrobras and which would later be confirmed by Operation Lava Jato. It is worth remembering that Cerveró was protected at the time by the same informant who is now trying to accuse Maia to escape his own responsibility.
The Parliamentary Group expresses its confidence in Marco Maia and reiterates its expectation that the investigations will proceed in accordance with constitutional principles and not be merely selective and arbitrary operations.
Brasilia, December 5, 2016
Afonso Florence (BA) - leader of the PT caucus in the Chamber of Deputies