Ronnie Lessa, a former military police officer sentenced to 78 years in prison for the murder of councilwoman Marielle Franco and driver Anderson Gomes, has provided new testimony that sheds light on illegal gambling operations and police corruption in the Western Zone of Rio de Janeiro. In a recent interrogation conducted via videoconference, Lessa confessed to collaborating with Rogério de Andrade, a well-known figure in the illegal gambling scene in the state, to run an underground bingo operation. He described how he established this gambling venue in the Quebra-Mar area of Barra da Tijuca in 2018 while negotiating with local police to facilitate the operation.

Lessa's revelations are significant as they highlight the complexity of illegal gambling networks in Rio, where different territories are controlled by various criminal elements. He pointed out that the Andrade family has considerable influence in the Barra da Tijuca region, which necessitated Lessa's approach to Rogério de Andrade before launching his bingo operation. This partnership illustrates how illegal businesses often intersect with law enforcement complicity, underscoring the challenges faced by authorities in combating organized crime in Brazil.

The implications of Lessa's testimony extend beyond just the details of his gambling business; it raises questions about the broader systemic issues concerning corruption within law enforcement and organized crime in Rio de Janeiro. This situation is further compounded by the public's ongoing demand for justice and accountability in the wake of Franco's assassination, making Lessa’s admissions critical to understanding the dynamics of crime and governance in the region.