The Federal Police has launched an operation to investigate former senator Fernando Bezerra Coelho and his family for alleged misappropriations of parliamentary amendments, executing search warrants across four states and the Federal District.
The Federal Police in Brazil has conducted a significant operation targeting former senator Fernando Bezerra Coelho of the MDB and his family, as part of an investigation into the misappropriation of parliamentary amendments. A total of 42 search warrants were executed across four states and the Federal District. The investigation specifically aims to uncover alleged misuses of federal funds channeled through amendments toward the municipality of Petrolina and a regional unit of the Companhia de Desenvolvimento dos Vales do São Francisco e do Parnaíba, known as Codevasf.
The operation revealed substantial findings, including the seizure of over R$ 1.2 million and important documents from the City Hall of Petrolina, along with other targeted residences associated with the suspects. Various high-profile individuals connected to the Bezerra Coelho family were also implicated in these investigations; this includes two of Bezerra Coelho's sons, Fernando Bezerra Coelho Filho, a former Minister of Mines and Energy and current deputy, and Miguel Coelho, the former mayor of Petrolina, who are both members of the União Brasil party.
The implications of this investigation are significant as it highlights systemic issues concerning the allocation of parliamentary funds in Brazil. Given Bezerra Coelho's previous roles as Minister of National Integration under Dilma Rousseff and as the Senate leader for Jair Bolsonaro's government, this case draws particular attention to potential abuses of political power and the integrity of parliamentary processes. The outcome of the investigation may influence future regulations on the oversight of public funds in the country.
