January 15, 2022

10:01

Iury Lima – Cenarium Magazine

VILHENA (RO) – Rondônia state lawmaker Cabo Jhony Paixão (Republicanos) is being investigated for possible involvement in a ‘rachadinha’ scheme (crime of misappropriation of staff wages) in the State Legislative Assembly (ALE-RO). In addition to the parliamentarian of the military base and assumed supporter of the President of the Republic, Jair Bolsonaro, ‘ghost’ servers of the Assembly and rigged bidding processes, which add up to more than R$ 1 million in irregularities, are under the crosshairs of ‘Operation Call’, which combats corruption crimes in the house of laws of Rondonia.

Both the representative’s office, in Porto Velho, and his residence, in Ji-Paraná (RO), were targets of search and seizure by the Civil Police (PC) this Friday, 14.

“The precautionary measures aim to collect information for the investigation of a criminal organization linked to the state legislator, dedicated to the use of parliamentary amendments in fraudulent hiring of works and reforms of state schools”, said the PC.

According to the police, the operation has 150 police officers in compliance with 32 court orders that are being executed, also, in public schools, homes and private companies of people linked to the politician.

Millionaire damage

Also according to the Civil Police, so far, “the amount irregularly allocated, via amendments, totals R$ 1,034,354.00”, but the estimate is that the amount may be even higher, “considering the internal investigation phase of other resources and sources”.

In addition, the organization would also be defrauding vehicle rental contracts, configuring the ‘rachadinha’. In this case, in order to make the mechanism feasible, civil servants would be transferring part or almost the whole value of their salaries to the leaders of the scheme, who would also appoint ‘ghost servants’. 

“The Civil Police will vehemently fight corruption. We cannot tolerate this cancer remaining in Rondônia”, said Samir Fouad Abboud, in a note sent to CENARIUM.  

Lawmaker denies involvement

The state lawmaker Jhony Paixão also expressed himself through a note, and denied any participation in the scheme, as well as his possible involvement with the criminal organization. 

He affirmed that “he is entirely at the disposal of Justice to clarify any fact that may be necessary” and that “he is calm about all his actions in his private and public life”.

According to the note, the parliamentarian “has not yet had access to the records of the investigation”, but “reaffirms his desire that the facts be clarified as soon as possible, so that there are no doubts about the suitability with which he has been acting in the State Legislature”. “(…) there is no fact that can tarnish his honor and that of his family”, concludes the text.