PF finds cell phone in freezer in action against vote buying in Baixada Fluminense

Federal police officers launched, this Friday (13), an operation to investigate a vote buying and money laundering scheme in Baixada Fluminense. Among those investigated would be the mayor of Duque de Caxias, Wilson Reis (MDB), and the former mayor of the municipality and current state secretary of Transport, Washington Reis (MDB).

Another target of the operation was Netinho Reis (MDB), elected mayor of the city. According to the portal g1the Federal Police seized two cell phones in the freezer at the politician’s home. When the agents arrived at the house of Netinho, who is Washington Reis’ nephew, he tried to hide the devices inside the appliance.

The investigations began in October, when a man was arrested red-handed in Caxias, with R$1.9 million in cash, on suspicion of buying votes. From there, the Federal Police (PF) arrived at a criminal organization active in Baixada Fluminense for several years, which would include politicians and businesspeople from Duque de Caxias and São João de Meriti.

According to the PF, the group would have moved millions of reais to illegally finance campaigns for candidates for public office. Companies hired by the public authorities would be used, according to the investigation, to favor politicians in their campaigns.

The crimes investigated include criminal organization, electoral fraud and money laundering.

In a note, the city of Duque de Caxias informed that Mayor Wilson Reis “has no involvement in the aforementioned case, trusts the courts and is available to provide all necessary clarifications”.

The State Department of Transportation released a note stating that Secretary Washington Reis was never involved in any practice of buying votes. “All campaign accounts were duly approved by the Electoral Court, demonstrating compliance with legal requirements. The secretary reiterates that he has nothing to fear and makes himself available to Justice and any competent authorities to provide the necessary clarifications, reaffirming his commitment to transparency and legality”, informs the note.

Netinho Reis’ defense has not yet manifested itself.

(With Agência Brasil and Estadão Conteúdo)