Federal Police launches operation to combat fraud in the solar sector

Investigation finds embezzlement of more than R$20 million in public resources from the Climate Fund
Federal Police launches operation to combat fraud in the solar sector
Operation Fóton takes place in eight cities in Rio Grande do Sul. Photo: MJSP/Disclosure

A Federal police launched, this Thursday (15), an operation with the aim of dismantling a diversion scheme public resources of Climate Fund (financed by BNDES and BADESUL), intended exclusively for application in works and installations of photovoltaic systems. 

The action, called Operation Photon, occurs in eight cities in Rio Grande do Sul and involves compliance with 20 search and seizure warrants, in addition to the kidnapping of assets valued at R$29,9 million with the purpose of promoting compensation from the Union for the losses caused.

As investigations began in 2023 and revealed, preliminarily, that the suspects, after receiving the contracted amounts, diverted the resources for the acquisition and installation of goods and equipment not related to contracts, such as vehicles and irrigation equipment.

According to the Federal Police, the contracts in question were signed with interest rates significantly lower than those practiced in credit lines, on average 4,4% per year, which “aggravates the unlawful conduct by generating greater damage to the treasury and unduly benefiting those being investigated”. 

The investigation so far indicates the diversion of approximately R$23 million, but the corporation estimates that the figures obtained through the criminal scheme could be greater than R$60 million.

Os investigated face charges of criminal association, embezzlement against a public entity and crimes against the national financial system, since the Climate Fund, which suffered the blow, is a national policy instrument created to finance projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.

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Photo by Henrique Hein
Henrique Hein
He worked at Correio Popular and Rádio Trianon. He has experience in podcast production, radio programs, interviews and reporting. Has been following the solar sector since 2020.

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