Ultrafarma Owner and Fast Shop Director Arrested in Corruption Investigation

Entrepreneur Sidney Oliveira, from Ultrafarma, was arrested in São Paulo on Tuesday morning after the Public Prosecutor’s Office of São Paulo (MPSP) launched Operation Icarus, aiming to dismantle a corruption scheme involving tax auditors from the Department of Oversight of the State Treasury Department. Oliveira’s temporary arrest for up to five days was decreed by the court. The defense of Sidney Oliveira has not yet commented. The investigation by the Economic Crimes Special Action Group identified a criminal group favoring retail companies for undeserved tax advantages. Besides Ultrafarma and Fast Shop, the MP is also investigating OXXO and Kalunga for benefiting from the criminal scheme. Arrest warrants were issued this morning, including for the supervisor of the Fiscal Directorate (DIFIS) of the Department of Treasury and Planning of the State of São Paulo (Sefaz-SP), Artur Gomes da Silva Neto, identified as the main operator of the scheme, and Marcelo de Almeida Gouveia, also affiliated with the department. In 2024 alone, 174 emails were found in Neto’s inbox regarding fiscal benefits for the pharmaceutical company. Both Artur Gomes and Marcelo de Almeida have been suspended from public office. In June, Artur Gomes received a gross income of R$33,781.06, plus R$30,573.45 in occasional payments, as reported by the MP’s transparency pages. However, due to the earnings cap (which limits income to the state governor’s salary), the supervisor received a net profit of R$25,556.04 that month. Two businessmen from companies that benefited from irregular fiscal decisions were also arrested. One of them is the owner of Ultrafarma, and the other is Mario Otávio Gomes, a statutory director of the Fast Shop group, specializing in the sale of household appliances and electronics. The Ultrafarma has not responded to requests for comments yet. Fast Shop stated it has not yet accessed the content of the investigation but is cooperating with authorities by providing information. According to the MP, the auditor manipulated administrative processes to facilitate tax credit payments to companies in exchange for monthly bribe payments through a company registered under his mother’s name. It has been found that the auditor has received over R$1 billion in bribes so far. A total of 19 search and seizure warrants were executed, resulting in the confiscation of over R$1 million, two bags of emeralds, cryptocurrencies, and documents. The investigation, initiated six months ago, is ongoing. The MP suspects that other retail companies may have participated in the scheme. The operation is the result of months of investigative work, including document analysis, privacy breaches, and court-authorized interceptions. The defendants may face charges of active and passive corruption, criminal organization, and money laundering. The investigations are ongoing. The seized money is believed to be derived from the corruption scheme involving tax auditors and companies benefiting from fraudulent fiscal decisions. The involved individuals are facing charges related to active and passive corruption, criminal organization, and money laundering. The investigation is still ongoing, with authorities tracking further leads and potential suspects. The scheme dates back at least four years, causing financial losses to the treasury, and investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of the damage caused. Additional information and evidence are likely to be uncovered as the investigation progresses. The Public Prosecutor’s Office will continue to pursue justice and hold those responsible for corruption and illegal activities accountable. The investigation aims to shed light on corrupt practices within the tax department and prevent further abuse of power and breach of fiscal laws.