Five people were found guilty of administrative offenses after hiring a company that did not have the capacity to manage and carry out work at the Angelo Poloni municipal airport in Videira, in the midwestern region of Santa Catarina. The company was hired sporadically by City Hall in 2011 and 2012.

The operation of this type of aircraft was limited locally due to the process due to the poor condition of the runway surface – Photo: Divulgação/SIE/ND

The case concerned illegal termination of tenders, targeted notice and non-performance of services, which resulted in financial losses to the municipality exceeding R$ 1.2 million in updated value.

The court sentenced all those involved in the scheme: former mayor Vilmar Carelli (MDB), businessman Rubens Correia da Silva Jr. and three public servants who held senior positions, including Arnaldo Posanske in the Planning Secretariat, Raquel Bruschi in the Department of Engineering. and Luis Carlos Gonzalla from the airport authority. They will have to pay fines and compensate the damage caused to the state treasury.

The verdict is the result of a complex, thorough and extensive investigation carried out by the MP-SC (Ministry of State of Santa Catarina), in which several moral prosecutors participated.

What’s happened?

MP-SC found that Videira City Hall hired Aerosigma Serviços Aeronáuticos in 2011, without tendering, to provide consultations and carry out structural work at Angelo Polzoni Airport. However, the company did not have the technical qualifications to carry out activities certified by ANAC (National Civil Aviation Agency).

Despite this, Aerosigma Serviços Aeronáuticos continued to benefit from the mayor’s office. In 2012, the municipality held a tender to try to ensure transparency in the process, but the notice was given in favor of the company, which was the only bidder and winner.

The investigation proved that Aerosigma Serviços Aeronáuticos did not fully perform the advisory services for which it was hired, failing to comply with a number of ANAC requirements. In addition, the work carried out by the company was superficial and insufficient to ensure the safety and operability of the airport.

Fines for defendants

Five defendants were found guilty of bid rigging and facilitating illicit enrichment. They will have to compensate the damage to the treasury jointly and pay individual fines.

Former mayor Vilmar Carelli was stripped of his political rights for eight years; businessman Rubens Correia da Silva Jr. will not be able to sign contracts with government agencies and receive tax breaks for the next four years.

Former airport administrator Luis Carlos Gonzalla was stripped of his political rights for two years; former Minister of Planning Arnaldo Posanske and former Director of the Engineering Department Raquel Bruschi lost their effective government functions.

What do the participants say?

The location of the convicts has not been established according to the police report. no date +. The space remains open for demonstrations.