Former National Secretary of Justice suspected of aiding in the escape of businessman 'King Arthur'
According to the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF), there is evidence that retired prosecutor Astério Pereira dos Santos from the Rio de Janeiro Public Prosecutor's Office (MP-RJ) helped in the escape of the businessman, a target of Operation Lava Jato. Arthur Soares owned the companies that held the largest contracts with the Rio de Janeiro government when it was headed by Sérgio Cabral.
247 - Arrested on Thursday morning (5), retired prosecutor from the Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro, Astério Pereira dos Santos, is suspected of helping in the escape of businessman Arthur Cesar de Menezes Soares Filho, known as Rei Arthur, according to an investigation by the Federal Public Ministry. According to prosecutors, there is evidence that Astério, while still serving as National Secretary of Justice, helped in the escape of the businessman, who was the target of Operation Lava Jato. Arthur Soares owned the companies that held the largest contracts with the Rio government when it was led by Sérgio Cabral.
King Arthur was on the run since 2017 and at the end of last year, his name was on Interpol's wanted list – the international police organization. However, the arrest was made by US immigration agents, but for a different reason: lack of a visa.
In a statement, the defense pointed to a "bureaucratic error" that was "duly resolved." "Arthur Soares is at home," the text says, denying that Arthur is a "fugitive."
"He is called King Arthur because, over many years, he held the largest contracts with the State of Rio de Janeiro. This allowed him to amass a fortune worth millions, perhaps even billions," explained federal prosecutor Stanley Valeriano.