Federal Police fulfills search warrant at the Petrolina city hall in operation targeting Fernando Bezerra Coelho and his sons
Brazil's Federal Police executed a search warrant at the Petrolina city hall as part of an operation investigating ex-senator Fernando Bezerra Coelho and his family for alleged corruption and fraud.
On Wednesday morning, the Federal Police of Brazil conducted a search and seizure operation at the city hall of Petrolina, targeting ex-senator Fernando Bezerra Coelho (MDB) and two of his sons, federal deputy Fernando Filho and former mayor Miguel Coelho. The operation, known as Vassalos, aims to investigate allegations of fraud in bidding processes, corruption, and money laundering concerning funds from parliamentary amendments allocated to various municipalities. Images captured during the operation show federal police vehicles arriving at the city hall in the center of Petrolina. The investigation has broader implications, extending beyond Petrolina with 42 search and seizure warrants being executed across multiple Brazilian states, including Bahia, SΓ£o Paulo, GoiΓ‘s, and the Federal District. The operation was authorized by Supreme Court minister FlΓ‘vio Dino, highlighting the seriousness with which these allegations are being approached by Brazilian authorities. Federal authorities allege that an organized criminal group has been misappropriating funds from parliamentary amendments through fraudulent activities. This situation stresses ongoing issues within Brazilian politics related to corruption and the accountability of public figures, particularly in light of past scandals that have plagued various branches of the government. The outcomes of this investigation could lead to significant legal consequences for those involved and potentially impact the political landscape in the region.