Subject of PF operation, mayor of Sorocaba says he was removed from office

The mayor of Sorocaba (SP), Rodrigo Manga (Republicans), stated that he was removed from office on Thursday (6). The information was confirmed by the mayor in a video posted on social media. ‘People, believe it or not, they removed me from the position of mayor. Here in Brasília, yesterday I went in front of the Justice Palace, said that the Army needs to be put on the streets, I visited the Congress, the deputies received me very well, saying: ‘Manga, be careful, you are getting too much attention, they are trying to take out of the game anyone who threatens their candidacy and you have been a threat, both regarding the Senate and other positions.’ Folks, it was no different. Today, a day after me being in front of the Justice Palace, where I talked about the Army there, to put the Army on the streets, they removed me,’ said Rodrigo Manga. Earlier, the Federal Police (PF) carried out an operation to investigate irregularities involving the hiring of a non-profit organization by the Sorocaba City Hall. Emergency contract and agreement terms were linked to the management of healthcare facilities in the municipality. Investigators executed seven search and seizure warrants and two preventative arrest warrants issued by the Federal Regional Court of the 3rd Region. The action is a new phase of Operation Copy and Paste, launched in April this year. In addition to the warrants, the court also ordered the seizure and freezing of approximately $6.5 million in assets of some of the suspects. It also ordered the implementation of precautionary measures, such as suspension from public office and prohibition of contact with certain individuals. According to the PF, the suspects ‘may be held accountable for active and passive corruption, embezzlement, bid rigging, money laundering, illegal direct hiring, and organized crime.’ Recall Operation Copy and Paste On April 10, the Federal Police conducted the first phase of Operation Copy and Paste. At the time, one of the targets was Rodrigo Manga, who gained national recognition for short videos on social media about projects in his city.