The contract signed by lawyer Helena Witzel, the first lady of Rio de Janeiro, and DPAD Serviços Diagnósticos, a company owned by Alessandro Duarte, was for 36 months and involved "legal consulting" services, without specifying any particular scope of work. Duarte is accused of being a financial operator for businessman Mário Peixoto, who investigators have identified as being involved in irregularities in government contracts.
The document was obtained by CNN anchor Caio Junqueira and is part of the decision by Minister Benedito Gonçalves, of the Superior Court of Justice (STJ), who authorized the execution of warrants against Governor Wilson Witzel (PSC) this Tuesday (26). For the service provided, the governor's wife would receive 36 monthly installments of R$ 15, for a total of R$ 540.
CNN's investigation indicates that approximately eight of these installments have already been paid, totaling R$ 120. The document notes that First Lady Helena Witzel would not act on behalf of the company in processes involving the Rio de Janeiro government.
Despite this, investigators found no evidence that the lawyer's office actually provided services. Therefore, the suspicion remains that the contract was signed merely to disguise the payment of a bribe.
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