PF Says Ex‑Governor Castro Created Favorable Environment for Refit

Overview

• Federal police have asked judges for new search orders and to lift financial and fiscal secrecy after unsealing a 112‑page representation that draws on messages and financial traces recovered from seized cellphones.
• Investigators cite messages they say show personal ties between Cláudio Castro and Refit figures, including texts the police transcribed as “Here you have a friend” and “I handle this here.”
• The inquiry lists specific alleged benefits tied to the scheme such as a R$10,500 caviar purchase, payment of Castro’s apartment rent, use of a Petrópolis mansion and a bespoke wine cellar valued at R$245,000.
• Authorities say the Barra da Tijuca penthouse used by Castro is registered to ex‑secretary José Mauro de Farias Jr., who bought multiple high‑value properties after leaving office; both Castro and Farias deny wrongdoing and call transactions lawful or personal.
• The probe, which includes Operation Sem Refino phases, targets possible fraud in environmental licensing and money‑laundering, and has a key suspect, businessman Ricardo Magro, listed on an Interpol red notice while Refit has moved toward bankruptcy.