Pezão says that deputies will know how to explain themselves.
The governor of Rio de Janeiro, Luiz Fernando Pezão, downplayed the impact of Operation Cadeia Velha on his government's base in the Rio de Janeiro State Legislative Assembly (Alerj), and said he was certain that the deputies targeted by the operation "will know how to explain themselves"; "Our base is very strong. I'm sure the deputies will know how to explain themselves. It has happened before and they explained themselves. These people must be given the right to defend themselves," he said; the Federal Police carried out coercive detention warrants against three PMDB parliamentarians in Alerj and arrested owners of bus companies in Rio; among those arrested is Felipe Picciani, son of the president of Alerj, Jorge Picciani.
Vinícius Lisboa - Reporter for Agência Brasil
The governor of Rio de Janeiro, Luiz Fernando Pezão, downplayed on Tuesday (14) the impact of Operation Cadeia Velha on his government's base in the Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj), and said he was sure that the deputies who are targets of the operation "will know how to explain themselves".
"Our base is very strong. I'm sure the representatives will know how to explain themselves. It has happened before and they explained themselves. These people must be given the right to defend themselves," said the governor.
On Tuesday morning, the Federal Police carried out coercive detention warrants against three PMDB parliamentarians in the Rio de Janeiro State Legislative Assembly (Alerj) and arrested owners of bus companies in Rio de Janeiro. Those taken to the Federal Police headquarters were the president of the assembly, Jorge Picciani, the former president of Alerj and former secretary to Governor Pezão, Paulo Melo, and Edson Albertassi, who was nominated by the governor for a position on the Rio de Janeiro State Court of Auditors. Felipe Picciani, son of the president of Alerj, was arrested preventively.
The investigations are looking into the use of the presidency and other positions in the Rio de Janeiro State Legislative Assembly (Alerj) for corruption, criminal association, money laundering, and tax evasion. The criminal organization described in the investigations allegedly began during the government of Sérgio Cabral.
Speaking about the operation launched today, Pezão also said that it is necessary to remain calm and wait for the judgment regarding Albertassi before deciding whether to withdraw his nomination to the Court of Auditors.
"I nominated Congressman Albertassi, and I had nothing against him. Let's wait and see. An investigation doesn't mean he's convicted," he said.