State deputy Thiago Rangel (Avante), arrested this Tuesday (5) during the fourth phase of Operation Unha e Carne, by the Federal Police, registered a strong increase in assets in the two years preceding his election to the Legislative Assembly of Rio (Alerj). Data declared by the parliamentarian himself to the Electoral Court shows that his assets went from R$ 224 thousand, in 2020, to R$ 1,9 million, in 2022 — an increase of about 748%.
The increase in assets occurred during the period in which Thiago Rangel served as a city councilor in Campos dos Goytacazes. In the 2020 municipal election, he declared owning two vehicles, a jet ski, and a R$ 60 stake in a gas station.
Two years later, already running for a seat in the Alerj (Rio de Janeiro State Legislative Assembly), the parliamentarian submitted a significantly larger declaration. The main jump appears in the fuel sector: in 2022, he reported participation in 18 gas stations as part of his assets.
Investigations by the Federal Police also indicate that, in 2014, Rangel worked as a driver and had a monthly salary of R$ 1.
Wealth growth under investigation
The increase in declared assets gained relevance in the context of federal investigations. Thiago Rangel had already been targeted by the Federal Police in 2024, in Operation Postos de Midas, which investigated suspicions of money laundering at gas stations in Campos dos Goytacazes.
At the time, investigators pointed to evidence suggesting that companies linked to the congressman had been used to conceal funds originating from public contracts suspected of irregularities.
New phase of Operation Nail and Flesh
The arrest on Tuesday occurred as part of a new phase of Operation Unha e Carne, which is investigating suspected fraud in the procurement of materials and contracting of services, including renovation works, at the Rio de Janeiro State Department of Education (Seeduc).
According to the Federal Police, the Northwest Regional Directorate of the secretariat is an area of political influence for the congressman. The investigation points to evidence of the directing of contracts made by school units to companies previously selected and linked to the investigated group.
According to the Federal Police, after receiving public funds, part of the money was withdrawn or transferred to companies that were part of the scheme's financial structure. Investigators also maintain that embezzled funds were mixed with legitimate funds in accounts linked to a network of gas stations.
On Tuesday, agents also executed search and seizure warrants at the Rio de Janeiro State Legislative Assembly (Alerj) and at addresses in the capital, Campos dos Goytacazes, Miracema, and Bom Jesus do Itabapoana. In total, seven preventive arrest warrants and 23 search and seizure warrants were issued.
Those under investigation could face charges of organized crime, embezzlement, bid rigging, and money laundering.
The news report was unable to locate the congressman's defense. The space remains open for comment.
*With information from G1.
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