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A 56-year-old electrician was sentenced to two years in prison for stealing electricity from his home. Using a sophisticated scheme to divert electricity and circumvent consumption measurements, he was discovered after inspections by Energisa.
In a quiet town in the interior of Tocantins, a unusual case involving an electrician 56 years old brought to light questions about ethics, responsibility and the limits of legality.
Using his technical knowledge, the professional was convicted of developing a sophisticated electricity theft scheme.
Despite his attempts to defend himself, the court considered the evidence presented sufficient to sentence him to two years in prison, with the sentence converted into restrictive measures of rights.
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The scheme and the investigation
The case came to light in Paraíso do Tocantins, when the energy concessionaire Energisa carried out technical inspections at the electrician's residence.
During the visits, irregularities were identified in two consumer units on the property.
According to company reports, the professional had implemented two clandestine systems, popularly known as “gatos”, to divert electrical energy and consume the resource without it being properly registered by the meters.
The first system detected was highly sophisticated: it involved applying silicone to insulate the neutral conductor of the input branch.
This intervention caused the meter to function normally even after being disconnected, making it difficult to identify the fraud.
The second, more rudimentary system consisted of a blue conductive cable embedded in the wall of the house, connected directly to the electrical standard.
This cable allowed energy to be supplied to the residence without the concessionaire being able to measure consumption.
The defense of the accused
During the trial, the electrician denied all the charges.
He claimed that he had always paid his energy bills regularly and explained that the second metering panel installed on his property was intended to serve a future construction project, which was never carried out.
He argued that there was no concrete evidence that he had manipulated the power grid and called for his acquittal.
However, judge Renata do Nascimento e Silva, responsible for the case, did not consider the version presented by the defense convincing.
Based on the technical reports and expert evidence provided by Energisa, the judge highlighted that The crime of energy theft is configured by the subtraction of the resource, regardless of the method used to make the clandestine connection or tamper with the meter.
The court ruling
The electrician was sentenced to two years in open prison.
However, the judge replaced the custodial sentence with restrictive rights measures, such as community service and payment of a fine.
The court ruling, published on November 12, allowed the accused to appeal the sentence, but the conviction already serves as an important precedent in the fight against fraud in the energy sector.
The impact of fraud on the electrical system
Cases like this go beyond the financial loss for energy companies.
Energy theft overloads the system, increases operating costs and, consequently, raises the value of the rates charged to regular consumers.
Furthermore, illegal practices such as tampering with meters and manipulating electrical networks can lead to serious consequences, such as short circuits, fires and irreversible damage to electrical installations, putting the lives of residents and workers at risk.
In Brazil, it is estimated that losses due to fraud in the electrical system exceed billions of reais annually.
This loss is passed on to society through higher tariffs, in addition to compromising the quality and safety of the energy supply.
Ethical and legal reflection
The electrician's conviction also raises reflections on the ethical use of technical knowledge and the legal implications of actions that violate established standards.
Despite the sophistication of the scheme, The case demonstrates that frauds, however ingenious, are subject to discovery and punishment.
Another point of discussion concerns the adequacy of the penalties applied.
Replacing custodial sentences with restrictive measures, such as community service, divides opinions.
There are those who argue that harsher punishments are necessary to discourage illegal practices, while others believe that alternative penalties are sufficient to educate and reintegrate those involved into society.
Alert for ethical, legal and technical risks
The case of the electrician from Paraíso do Tocantins serves as a warning about the ethical, legal and technical risks associated with the theft of electricity.
Although the scheme demonstrated a high degree of sophistication, it also highlighted the efficiency of the Justice system in investigating and punishing crimes of this nature.
The debate on the penalties applied to crimes related to the theft of public or private resources remains open.
Meanwhile, the conviction of this electrician reinforces the need to raise awareness about the impact of these practices on society and the energy system as a whole.
Do you believe that alternative penalties, such as those applied in this case, are sufficient to combat fraud in the energy sector? Or would a more rigorous approach be necessary to curb these illicit practices?
Will the company also carry out these inspections in the favelas? I hope so.
Send this judge here to São Vicente SP. And see how many cats there are in this **** city. Example the Fazendinha favela