Garibaldi will reimburse expenses related to the FAB (Brazilian Air Force) plane.
The Minister of Social Security used a Brazilian Air Force (FAB) plane for a personal trip to attend the Confederations Cup final on June 30th in Rio de Janeiro; Garibaldi Alves informed the Presidential Palace of his decision to reimburse the Treasury on Friday night, to eliminate any doubt or questioning about the episode.
Luana Lourenço
Reporter from Agência Brasil
Brasilia - The Minister of Social Security, Garibaldi Alves Filho, will reimburse public funds for the use of a Brazilian Air Force (FAB) plane for a personal trip to attend the Confederations Cup final on the 30th in Rio de Janeiro.
Garibaldi communicated the decision to the Planalto Palace tonight (5) and said that he will reimburse the Treasury to eliminate any doubt or questioning about the episode. Information about the amount and date of reimbursement will be detailed by the Ministry of Social Security.
Garibaldi's trip to Rio de Janeiro on a FAB plane was reported in today's Folha de S.Paulo newspaper. According to the minister's press office, he used the plane on Friday (28) to go to an official engagement in Nova Morada (CE). On the way back, instead of returning to Brasília or Natal (RN) – where he lives – Garibaldi decided to go directly to Rio de Janeiro. The minister returned to Brasília on Monday (1st) on a commercial flight, paid for by him, according to a note released earlier by his press office.
Article 4 of the regulation governing the transportation of authorities states that the use of FAB (Brazilian Air Force) aircraft is permitted in situations involving security reasons, medical emergencies, official travel, and travel to the place of permanent residence. The decree also states that, "whenever possible, the aircraft should be shared by more than one authority."
Allegations of improper use of FAB (Brazilian Air Force) planes also involve the presidents of the Senate, Renan Calheiros (PMDB-AL), and the Chamber of Deputies, Henrique Eduardo Alves (PMDB-RN). Calheiros used the plane to attend the wedding of Brenda Braga, daughter of the government leader in the Senate, Eduardo Braga (PMDB-AM), on June 15th in Trancoso, Bahia. Henrique Eduardo Alves also traveled on a FAB plane to attend the Confederations Cup final, accompanied by his fiancée, her relatives, stepchildren, and a son. Both parliamentarians have already announced that they will reimburse the costs to the public coffers.
Editing: Aécio Amado