STJ extends removal of prosecutor denounced in Operation Faroeste

The vice-president of the Superior Court of Justice (STJ), Minister Og Fernandes, extended for another year the removal of a prosecutor denounced in the investigations of the Faroeste Operation, which investigates a scheme to sell judicial decisions to favor the land grabbing of lands in Bahia.

The extension of the removal was requested by the Federal Public Ministry (MPF). With the minister’s decision, the prosecutor – initially removed in December 2020 – will remain out of office until December 16, 2023.

According to Og Fernandes, the information presented by the MPF makes clear the need for an extension.

“It is not recommended to allow the investigated person to resume her activities at the Public Ministry of the State of Bahia. The case is highly serious, with evidence of deviations in the functional performance and practice of influence peddling and crimes of corruption, criminal organization and money laundering,” she said.

The prosecutor was denounced for the alleged crimes of administrative advocacy, violation of professional secrecy, participation in a criminal organization and obstruction of investigation. According to the complaint, she would have leaked confidential information from the Public Prosecutor’s Office related to ongoing investigations.

The minister quoted excerpts from the decision of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) which, when judging the habeas corpus presented by the prosecutor’s defense, maintained her removal from office and highlighted the well-founded suspicions about the prominent role that she would have played in the criminal organization, with possible violation of functional secrecy and interference in investigations.

Under the terms of the extension of the removal, the prosecutor also remains prohibited from accessing the premises of the state Public Prosecutor’s Office, as well as from communicating with officials or using the agency’s services.