Pixbet, target of the PF, controls city hall and supports Motta's father and 5 others in the Paraíba elections

Owner of the betting house, Ernildo Junior entered politics for good in the 2024 election, when he appointed one of his employees, Michel Alexandre Pereira Marques (União), to run for Mayor of his hometown, Serra Branca, a municipality in Cariri in Paraíba with 13.6 thousand inhabitants. With the ally's victory, in which he was personally committed, he began working to attract regional leaders of all calibers to the “Queen of Cariri”.

The victory in the municipal election was achieved with the support of senator Efraim Filho (União), member of the “betting bench” in Congress, and Antonio Rueda, national president of the party. For the new election, the businessman distanced himself from Efraim and transferred his political group's support to Cícero Lucena (MDB), former mayor of João Pessoa for three terms.

In April of this year, Ernildo and Alexandre welcomed Cícero Lucena for a public agenda in Serra Branca. The three gave an interview to Independente FM Cariri radio, which presented the Pixbet owner as someone who “dreamed of Alexandre’s victory at the polls”. The businessman was asked whether the political act represented his support for the emedebista.

"Of course. In addition to support, there is gratitude here. You can count on me, you know that", he replied, hugging the pre-candidate.

Days later, during the celebrations of the 67th anniversary of the political emancipation of the municipality in the interior of Paraíba, Junior and Alexandre received Nabor Wanderley, Hugo Motta's father, and publicly expressed support for him in the Senate race.

Senator Veneziano Vital do Rêgo (MDB), candidate for re-election, also has the support of the Pixbet group. In his case, favorable expressions appear through the mayor of Serra Branca.

Known as Alexandre Pixbet since before his debut at the polls, the manager is seen by the region's political class as an intermediary for Ernildo Junior, someone he strictly trusts.

President of the party in Paraíba, the senator minimized the support of Ernildo and Alexandre.

"I have no relationship. If he [Ernildo] supported a candidate for mayor who might come to support me, what does it have to do with putting my name? I think it's pushing the envelope. The mayor supports me, Alexandre. But I don't see a relationship," said Veneziano. “I didn’t even know about this operation, I came to find out now.”

Hugo Motta did not comment. The report was unable to contact Lucena and Nabor's teams.

Secretary of Finance is ex-PixbetThe mayor allows the owner of Pixbet to control positions in the municipal administration. The current Secretary of Administration and Finance at City Hall is Pedro Aleixo, who was previously manager at Pixbet.

Last year, the mayor sent a bill to the City Council that reduced the ISS, IPTU and ITBI for companies that met certain conditions. Shortly after the proposal was approved, Ernildo transferred Pixbet's headquarters from Campina Grande (PB) to Serra Branca and enjoyed the benefits.

The mayor became the target of an investigation by the Public Ministry of Paraíba because a water truck purchased with public funds was spotted on a farm belonging to Ernildo Junior, in the neighboring city of Gurinhém (PB).

The electoral support of the owner of the bet investigated by the PF was also offered to federal deputy Mersinho Lucena (PSD-PB), who will seek re-election. Son of Cícero Lucena, the parliamentarian participated in the same political act used to publicize Pixbet's support for the MDB candidate for government. The report was unable to locate the deputy.

Another candidate for federal deputy who fell in favor with the group is state deputy George de Moraes (PL), who was received by Alexandre Pixbet for a pre-election event at the end of last year. When contacted, he did not return.

The list of candidates supported by the Pixbet group also includes state deputy Tovar Lima (MDB), candidate for re-election. The politician is a “habitué” of artistic events promoted by Ernildo Junior on the Gurinhém farm, where artists sponsored by Pixbet make recordings.

“I want to congratulate Mayor Alexandre and everyone he attracted. And Ernildo Junior, who was the creator, the one who first had the idea to show Serra Branca to the world,” he told the local broadcaster.

Tovar is one of the main enthusiasts of a project by Ernildo Junior to build a hospital in Serra Branca, on land that the businessman claims to have purchased and donated to the city hall. Ernildo presented the area during the 2024 electoral campaign, in a move seen by opponents as decisive for Alexandre's victory. To this day, the hospital has not gotten off the ground. When contacted, he did not respond.

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