Mauricio Silva Knoploch dos Santos was arrested this Thursday (9) in Operation Ouroboros. He kept eight units of 9mm pistol ammunition at his home in Anil, Southwest Zone of Rio. The person under investigation is director of the Rio Metrópole Institute. The body is the target of an investigation into an alleged corruption scheme involving R$86 million in contracts. According to investigations, fraudulent bids in 2022 directed fictitious contracts and subcontracts. The amounts were later withdrawn in cash with an armed escort. Representative Alexandre Knoploch said he received the information with surprise. He stated that he had no influence on his father's appointment to the institute. The Government of Rio reported that it identified signs of irregularities after an audit by the General Comptroller. Mauricio Knoploch will be charged with illegal possession of restricted-use ammunition, a crime that carries a sentence of up to six years in prison. In addition to this crime, he is also one of the targets of the MPRJ investigation into an alleged corruption scheme in Rio Metrópole Institute contracts worth more than R$86 million. Mauricio is director of Planning and Projects at IRM. According to investigations, in fraudulent and targeted bids from 2022 onwards, IRM hired Engeconsult Consultores Técnicos and R Peotta Engenharia e Consultoria. Subsequently, Engeconsult and R Peotta entered into fictitious subcontracts with the Brazilian Institute of Organic — Instituto Bio, to deposit part of the amounts received from IRM. This money was later withdrawn from the Bio Institute account, under the escort of Rioforte. Another aspect of the scheme were the amendments made to the contracts. In 2023 alone, Engeconsult received an increase of R$58 million. Classified in the complaint as the “Woman in the Suitcase”, on January 9, Caroline Soares Barros was surprised by agents from the 110th DP (Teresópolis) when she went to withdraw R$500,000 in cash at a bank branch in that municipality, escorted by Rioforte employees. In total, he made 13 withdrawals estimated at just over R$3 million. g1 tries to contact Mauricio Knoploch's defense. Alexandre Knoploch: the deputy said that he received the information about the operation with "surprise" and that he had no influence on his father's appointment at the Rio Metrópole Institute and that his CV is "admirable". "I hope everything that is happening is investigated. I am at peace," he said. Knoploch also said that, because he is a politician, he has suffered messages to "belittle" his mandate. "We are beaten for things that are ours and, often, for things that are not directly ours," he added. Note from Engeconsult: "Engeconsult is unaware of the content of the investigations and any documents and information related to them. The company denies the practice of any irregular act. In almost 50 years of services throughout the country, Engeconsult has excelled in complying with laws and good governance practices. Therefore, it is available to the authorities for any clarifications that may be necessary."
Note from the Government of Rio: "The Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro informs that it has not yet been officially notified of the measure communicated by the Public Ministry in relation to the Rio Metrópole Institute (IRM). During this Thursday's press conference, the prosecutor responsible for the case informed that the secretary of the Institutional Security Office (GSI), who is also responsible for the Government Secretariat, Roberto Leão, will be responsible for the institute until the appointment of the new president of the agency by the acting governor. The actions of the Public Prosecutor's Office are the result of joint work between State bodies. The Government identified signs of irregularities in contracts through an audit carried out by the State Comptroller General (CGE) and the Institutional Security Office (GSI) at the Rio Metrópole Institute (IRM). The State Government reaffirms its commitment to transparency and the integrated work of control bodies in the fight against corruption."