On February 13, 2025, the Brazilian Federal Police launched Operation EmendaFest, targeting alleged embezzlement of public funds allocated through parliamentary emendations for the Hospital Ana Nery located in Santa Cruz do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul. The operation aims to investigate around R$ 1 million intended for public health services, with significant inquiries surrounding members of the political circle linked to Deputy Afonso Motta of the Democratic Labor Party (PDT).
Although the operation focused on key individuals, including Afonso Motta's chief of staff, Lino Rogério da Silva Furtado, and Cliver André Fiegenbaum, director of the state's Metroplan agency, the deputy himself has publicly stated he was not targeted by the police. Motta expressed surprise over the operation and stressed his intention to access legal documents to understand the specifics of the investigation. "Neither he nor the cabinet were targets of the PF's operation. The parliamentarian says he was surprised and is seeking access to the records to understand what is being investigated and position himself," he said via official note.
The federal police executed 11 search and seizure warrants across multiple locations, including both Brasília and various cities within Rio Grande do Sul such as Estrela, Venâncio Aires, Lajeado, and Rosário do Sul. The operation brought to light alarming details surrounding the mismanagement of funds, including claims Furtado allegedly pocketed about 6% from the transfers meant for the hospital. Authorities are investigating these claims alongside charges of active and passive corruption.
Earlier investigations suggested the deputy allocated at least R$ 1.07 million to the hospital, with one notable inquiry highlighting how purportedly 6% of this amount was being siphoned off by Furtado and associated entities. The financial paths of these funds are under close scrutiny following the police's findings of dramatic discrepancies. The police reported seizing significant sums of cash, reportedly R$ 350,000, along with evidence located on hidden cell phones within official offices.
Afonso Motta, who has held his position as federal deputy since assuming office effectively after the 2015 elections, often served as leader of the PDT party within Congress. He entered political office initially as first alternate from the 2010 elections and again effectively embraced his role during subsequent elections, having garnered over 90,000 votes by 2014. Notably, he served as the chairman of the Labor Commission from March 2021 until April 2022, contributing to his stature as seasoned political figure.
The amounts allocated for the hospital over the years raise questions about the oversight on the utilization of public funds. Notably, over the past decade, Hospital Ana Nery has seen grants amounting to approximately R$ 3.6 million, with R$ 2 million directed to the facility within the last five years alone. This raises fundamental product inquiries about how well the allotted funds were managed and whether the public health objectives of these emendations were met.
The operation, authorized by the Supreme Court's Justice Flávio Dino, signifies another moment where the integrity of public officeholders is reexamined amid increasing scrutiny on public finance management. Details of the procedure include the removal of the positions and functions from two of the involved individuals, alongside account blockages involving both private and corporate holdings.
The affected individuals and their connections to Motta’s office are expected to face grave consequences should evidence substantiate the allegations of financial misconduct. The investigation still gathers steam with additional testimonies being sought from various parties, including other politicians, which suggests the extent of possible involvement may widen as the Federal Police draws closer to explicit findings.
With sentiments surrounding the financial accountability of public officeholders quickly arising, the situation poses significant political consequences, particularly for Afonso Motta who is presently managing the fallout from this inquiry. All eyes remain fixed on the developments within the Federal Police's inquiry as the investigation intersects significantly with the practical governance and ethical inclinations surrounding the use of emendations.