The Gaffrée and Guinle University Hospital, linked to UniRio, is the focus of a Federal Police (PF) investigation that investigates embezzlement through fraud in bids. In addition to the PF, the Comptroller General of the Union (CGU) and the Ministry of Education participated in this Tuesday’s action (22).
In this second phase of Operation Desmascarados, the feds took to the streets to fulfill five search and seizure warrants, issued by the 5th Federal Criminal Court, in Rio de Janeiro and in Mesquita, in Baixada Fluminense. The addresses visited were linked to businessmen and public servants involved in the criminal scheme.
The purpose of the action is to investigate fraud in the hiring of a company specialized in building maintenance services at the University Hospital. The evidence of the crimes was gathered through the analysis of documents seized during the first phase of the operation, in February 2021.
In addition, audit reports from Empresa Brasileira de Serviços Hospitalares and CGU were used. According to the investigations, there are indications of direction in the result of the bidding and overbilling.
The investigation points out that the company that won the competition was constituted just a month before the bidding procedure and has a corporate structure formed by “oranges”. According to the PF, the total value of the contract was estimated at approximately two million reais.
THE CNN contacted the Brazilian Hospital Services Company, linked to the Ministry of Education, responsible for the administration of federal university hospitals, and is awaiting a position.
First phase of the operation
The first phase of the Desmascarados operation took place in February 2021. The investigation was into possible targeting of bidding waiver procedures at the Gaffrée and Guinle University Hospital for the acquisition of personal protective equipment during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as diversion public money by overpricing these materials.
At the time, five search and seizure warrants were issued. One of them was carried out at the house of the former director of the hospital and former state secretary of health in Rio, Fernando Ferry.
According to the PF, the audits and investigations indicate favoring a certain group of companies that had the connivance of public officials.
Investigations showed that in a purchase that had the bidding waived, in the amount of BRL 1,280,450.00, 6,500 masks were purchased, for BRL 47.80 each, and 6,500 aprons, at a unit price of BRL 49.50. .
In a public call made by Empresa Brasileira de Serviços Hospitalares, the items were priced at R$12.50 and R$15.00, respectively.
Also according to CGU, the government of the state of Rio de Janeiro received BRL 1,870,855,788.62 transferred by the SUS in 2020, specifically for action to prevent and combat Covid-19.
A loss of around R$ 1 million was detected by the investigation and would make it impossible for the Grafreé and Guinle University Hospital to acquire more supplies, materials and equipment needed to serve the population.
Crimes of criminal organization, embezzlement and bidding fraud are being investigated.
Source: CNN Brasil
