Ally of Hugo Motta targeted by PF, and STJ authorizes search and seizure in official apartment

Congressman Ricardo Ayres (Republicanos-TO) is one of the targets of the Federal Police operation investigating the diversion of parliamentary amendments during the Covid-19 pandemic. The politician’s official apartment was searched and seized by order of STJ Minister Mauro Campbell. The investigated facts date back to his time as a state deputy. Ayres is an ally of the Chamber’s President, Hugo Motta (Republicanos), and had been chosen to chair the INSS CPI before the opposition’s turnaround. The congressman stated in a note that he has ‘no connection to the acts under investigation’ and that his mention ‘only stems from his position as a parliamentarian during that period.’