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Operation Integrity

Public defender and lawyer arrested for threats and destruction of evidence

The accused are suspected of threatening witnesses and destroying evidence essential to the investigations of Operation Integrity.

From the Editors

 

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

 

Updated at 13:33

 

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Public defender Marcos Antonio Maciel de Melo and advisor Vinicius Queiroz de Souza were arrested on Tuesday, the 3rd, by the Gaeco of the MP/PB, in partnership with the Civil Police and support from the Military Police, accused of threatening witnesses and destroying essential evidence for the investigations of Operation Integrity.  The information is from the G1 portal.

 

According to Gaeco, these practices constitute an attempt to obstruct justice, compromising the integrity of the legal process and the Democratic Rule of Law.

 

The measure is essential to protect witnesses, preserve evidence and ensure progress in investigations , the body highlighted.

 

 

A public defender and a lawyer were arrested on charges of threatening witnesses and destroying evidence in Operation Integrity. (Image: MP/PB)

The investigation, which began on November 11 of this year, pointed to a scheme of misappropriation of funds in the work of the Public Defender's Office of Paraíba, with irregular client acquisition and improper use of public resources.

 

Among the irregularities found are fraudulent mass legal proceedings, lawsuits filed on behalf of deceased individuals, proceedings initiated without the consent of the authors and manipulation of documents to facilitate lawsuits.

 

In some cases, amounts released by court orders were allegedly diverted for illicit enrichment.

 

DP/PB, through its general inspectorate, reported that it is fully collaborating with the investigations.

 

In a note to G1, it stated that it repudiated "any misconduct on the part of its members or employees" and guaranteed that it was fully committed to investigating and clarifying the facts.

 

link: https://www.migalhas.com.br/quentes/420892/defensor-publico-e-advogado-sao-presos-por-destruicao-de-provas