The Attorney General's Office (PGR) requested the Supreme Federal Court (STF) on Monday (10) to convict three PL federal deputies for passive corruption and criminal organization involving parliamentary amendments. Deputies Josimar Maranhãozinho (PL-MA), Bosco Costa (PL-SE), and Pastor Gil (PL-MA) are accused of demanding R$1.6 million in bribes from the São José de Ribamar (MA) City Hall in exchange for budgetary resources. The case, under rapporteur Minister Cristiano Zanin, marks the first indictments against parliamentarians under Paulo Gonet's tenure as attorney general.
The final allegations submitted by the PGR to the STF reiterate charges against PL deputies Josimar Maranhãozinho, Bosco Costa, and Pastor Gil for forming a criminal organization aimed at allocating parliamentary amendments in exchange for bribes. The scheme, investigated between January and August 2020, involved demanding R$1.667.000 from Mayor José Eudes Sampaio Nunes of São José de Ribamar (MA) in return for R$6.671.000 in federal resources indicated by the deputies.
According to the PGR, evidence includes dialogues, seized documents, and accounting data proving the illicit nature of the transactions. 'The evidence gathered, particularly the examined dialogues and documents seized during the investigation, corroborate the accusation that the defendants formed a criminal organization aimed at allocating parliamentary amendments to municipalities in exchange for bribes,' stated Vice Attorney General Hindenburgo Chateaubriand Filho in a 25-page submission.
The core nucleus was formed by the deputies, with Maranhãozinho as the leader. Other involved parties include Josival Cavalcanti da Silva (Pacovan), responsible for approaching city halls, and six non-parliamentarians such as Abraão Nunes Martins Neto, Adones Nunes Martins, Antônio José Silva Rocha, and Thales Andrade Costa. The investigation points to diversions through contracts with shell companies, extortion of beneficiaries, and commissions for intermediaries.
The PGR requests conviction for passive corruption (art. 317 of the Penal Code), loss of public mandates, and compensation for collective moral damages. The bribe amounts total over R$1.6 million: R$1.03 million from Bosco Costa (25% of R$4.12 million), R$375,000 from Maranhãozinho (25% of R$1.5 million), and R$262,000 from Pastor Gil (25% of R$1.05 million). Dialogues reveal concerns about traceability, such as Josimar's unease about using Pastor Gil's account: 'I don't think it's cool, because I have to take care of my Deputy'.
The indictments are the first against parliamentarians since Paulo Gonet took over as PGR. The process is under seal under rapporteur Cristiano Zanin.