Operation in São Paulo disrupted a corruption scheme involving tax tax auditors in the Department of Inspection of the State Secretariat of Finance. The investigation identified a criminal group responsible for favoring retail companies in exchange for improper advantages. Three temporary arrest warrants are being served, including that of a state tax inspector, named as the main operator of the scheme, and those of two entrepreneurs, partners of companies benefited from irregular tax decisions.
In addition to the arrests, agents comply with various search and seizure warrants at residential addresses of the targets and in the headquarters of the investigated companies. According to the investigation, the inspector used and manipulated administrative proceedings to facilitate the settlement of tax credits to companies. On the other hand, he received monthly bribe payments through a company registered on behalf of his mother. It was also found that the inspector has received, so far, more than one billion reais in bribes.
The operation is the result of months of investigative work, with document analysis, confidentiality breaks and interceptions authorized by the court. Investigated people may be responsible for active and passive corruption crimes, criminal organization and money laundering. Artur Gomes da Silva Neto is the inspector of the Secretariat of Finance involved in the scheme and is arrested. In addition to him, Mario Otávio Gomes, statutory director of fast shop and Sidney Oliveira, owner of the Ultrafarma network, are others involved.
