Perillo acknowledges Cachoeira's influence in Goiás, but in an isolated way.
Since the first conversations of the illegal gambling group were made public at the beginning of the month, at least three of the governor's aides have resigned. He denies any involvement in the case.
247 – For the first time, the governor of Goiás, Marconi Perillo (PSDB), admitted that the illegal gambling operator Carlinhos Cachoeira may have influence in sectors of the state, even if in an 'isolated and very small' way. Since the first conversations of Cachoeira's group were released at the beginning of the month, at least three of the governor's aides have resigned. He denies any involvement in the case.
Read more in Luiza Damé's article in Globo:
The governor of Goiás, Marconi Perillo (PSDB), admitted this Tuesday that the illegal gambling operator Carlinhos Cachoeira may have influence in sectors of the state, but in an "isolated" and not systematic way.
Recordings from the Federal Police in Operation Monte Carlo linked Perillo's name and his government to Cachoeira's scheme. When asked about the illegal gambling operator's influence on the government, Perillo stated:
— Look, I think that in relation to some areas of the state apparatus, but in an isolated, very small way. Not in the government. He never dared to make any request regarding his activity.
Since the first conversations of Cachoeira's group were released at the beginning of the month, at least three of Perillo's aides have resigned. First, it was the governor's chief of staff, Eliane Gonçalves Pinheiro; then, the president of Detran (the state traffic department), Edvaldo Cardoso; and, lastly, the state's attorney general, Ronald Bicca. All were mentioned in the Federal Police recordings.
Perillo stated that he is not under investigation, but that his name was mentioned irresponsibly in recordings from the Federal Police operation.
— I am absolutely calm about this. I am not under investigation. There are only some irresponsible statements regarding my name. I think it's people trying to sell favors. The state government has no involvement in any of these Operation Monte Carlo investigations. The Delta construction company has a very small number of contracts in the state due to completely legitimate bidding processes, far fewer than the municipalities in the interior.
After participating in the announcement of investments from the PAC Mobility Large Cities program at the Palácio do Planalto, Perillo made himself available to the CPI (Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry), and stated that he was "absolutely calm," as there were no actions by him or his secretaries that benefited the illegal gambling operator or the Delta construction company.
At the end of the event, Marconi spent some time talking with the governor of Rio Grande do Norte, Rosalba Ciarlini (DEM), and with the deputy head of Federal Affairs at the Secretariat of Institutional Relations (SRI), Olavo Noleto. There is evidence that Noleto was talking to the number two in Cachoeira's scheme, Wladimir Garcez.
Marconi also said that he has the confidence of the PSDB party, but admitted that he would suffer political damage if irregularities in the government of Goiás were proven.
— Up until now, I have received absolute solidarity from all party members. Not only solidarity, but a demonstration of confidence from everyone. If tomorrow, eventually, the government of Goiás is involved in any of these events investigated in Operation Monte Carlo, of course, then there will be damage to the reputation.