Yesterday, Rio de Janeiro mayor Marcelo Crivella was arrested as part of a corruption investigation just nine days before the end of his term in office, AFP reported.
After a two-hour hearing, the judge leading the investigation, Rosa Helena Penna Macedo Guita, called him "the head of a criminal organization ... installed within the Rio mayor's office with the aim of obtaining illicit profits in the most varied ways." She ordered him held in custody before television footage later showed him being transferred to a prison in the city's north.
Hours later, a judge granted permission for the mayor to be held under house arrest, but Crivella will have to wear an electronic ankle bracelet, submit all his telephone and computers and not have any contact with third parties.
Earlier on Tuesday, GloboNews television channel had broadcast footage of police arresting the mayor at his home in the upscale Barra de Tijuca neighborhood just before 6:00 am (0900 GMT). "I'm the mayor that's done the most against corruption in Rio de Janeiro. I ask that justice be served," said Crivella.
The arrested mayor received support from far-right President Jair Bolsonaro at last month's municipal elections but was soundly beaten. He, then, claimed to be the victim of "political persecution."
Several other people were also arrested as part of the same operation including businessman Rafael Alves, the suspected mastermind. He is the brother of Marcelo Alves, the president of municipal tourism agency Riotur. Mauro Macedo, Crivella's former campaign treasurer, was also arrested.
According to the investigation, which began in 2018, companies has to give checks whenever they wanted to secure contracts. "The criminal organization collected at least 50 million reais (around $10 million) from what we've been able to discover," said Deputy Attorney General Ricardo Ribeiro Martins.
Crivella is a former pastor, missionary and gospel singer. Throughout his mandate, Crivella faced investigations over mismanagement, accused of mixing politics and religion and favoring members of his church.
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