CNJ advisor is investigated in operation regarding R$308 million agreement with Oi

The investigation investigates suspicions of money laundering and misuse of privileged information in a R$308 million agreement signed between the State of Mato Grosso and the operator Oi.

During the operation, Federal Police agents carried out a search and seizure warrant at the law firm where Rabaneda worked, located in the Top Tower Building, on Avenida do CPA, in Cuiabá.

Rabaneda is considered one of the most active lawyers in Mato Grosso and joined the CNJ in February 2025, after being nominated by the Federal Council of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB).

In addition to him, the targets of Operation Heritage include former governor Mauro Mendes (Union), federal deputy Fábio Garcia (Union), candidate for vice-governor on the ticket of Otaviano Pivetta (Republicans), and judge Ricardo Almeida, from the Court of Justice of Mato Grosso (TJ-MT).

In a note, Rabaneda's office stated that his relationship with the facts investigated occurred exclusively due to his work as a lawyer, before taking up his position at the CNJ. According to the statement, he had been hired to provide legal services in negotiations related to the agreement involving Oi's credits against the State of Mato Grosso.

The defense also stated that the activity was limited to the regular practice of law and that the fees received were the result of a written contract and were duly declared.

In total, the Federal Police carries out 25 search and seizure warrants, issued by the Federal Supreme Court (STF), in Mato Grosso, São Paulo, Rondônia and Ceará.

The decision also authorized measures such as breach of banking and tax secrecy, blocking and unavailability of assets up to an approximate limit of R$316 million, prohibition of leaving the country with the collection of passports, prohibition of contact between those under investigation and other precautions.

Operation Heritage

The investigations began with the analysis of an agreement signed between the State of Mato Grosso and Oi, related to the refund of amounts arising from a tax dispute.

According to the Federal Police, there is evidence that the financial operation was used to facilitate the diversion of public resources in excess of R$308 million. The suspicion is that the alleged scheme used cascading investment funds and intermediary companies to hide and disguise the origin, movement and destination of the values.

The facts investigated could constitute, in theory, crimes of criminal organization, embezzlement, money laundering, crimes against the National Financial System and improper use of privileged information. Other infractions may be identified during the investigation.

Advisory note

In a statement, Ulisses Rabaneda's office reported that the investigation took place at the law firm where he worked before taking leave from the profession to take on the role of advisor to the CNJ.

Still according to the statement, his relationship with the facts discovered derives exclusively from his work as a lawyer, in a period prior to joining the National Council of Justice. The note states that Rabaneda was hired to provide legal services in the negotiations that resulted in the agreement involving Oi S.A.'s credit with the State of Mato Grosso, with activities limited to the regular practice of law.

The advisor also stated that the fees received for professional performance were the result of a written contract and were duly declared.