Brazil's Federal Police executed 15 search and seizure warrants in São Paulo and Salvador on Wednesday (October 29) to probe fraud in textbook sales to São Paulo municipalities. Operation Legere targets a scheme of overpricing involving fake invoices and rigged bids. The investigation highlights towns like Embu das Artes, with evidence of public fund diversion.
The Federal Police investigation, named Operation Legere, aims to dismantle a criminal group suspected of defrauding contracts for supplying educational materials to public elementary and secondary schools. Warrants were issued on the morning of October 29 and carried out in São Paulo and Salvador, focusing on São Paulo municipalities, particularly Embu das Artes in the metropolitan area.
According to the probe, the scheme included issuing fake invoices, rigging bids, and diverting funds obtained through public entity contracts. The suspects used intermediary distributors, described as shell companies, to sell books and educational kits at inflated prices – doubled or tripled, without plausible justification.
The suspects could face charges for crimes such as ideological falsehood, bid fraud, money laundering, and organized crime. The operation seeks to halt the cycle of bid frauds, document forgery, and money laundering tied to these textbook supply contracts.
Metrópoles reached out to the Embu das Artes City Hall for comment but received no response by press time. The outlet remains open for statements.