Governor of Tocantins is removed from office in PF operation

The Fames-19 operation investigates the misappropriation of funds aimed at fighting Covid-19, even during the pandemic, including parliamentary funds intended for the purchase of basic food baskets. The Governor of Tocantins, Wanderlei Barbosa (Republicanos), was targeted in a Federal Police operation on Wednesday (3) in Palmas, the state capital. By order of the Superior Court of Justice (STJ), the head of the state’s Executive branch was removed from office. Two hundred federal police officers are executing 51 warrants in Tocantins, the Federal District, Paraíba, and Maranhão. The estimated loss by the Federal Police is R$ 71 million. CNN reached out to the suspended governor’s defense team, which stated they will comment after reviewing the case.