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Police officers are convicted of embezzlement of food at the Military College of Recife! Captain and sergeants receive sentences of imprisonment and exclusion.
The Superior Military Court (STM) sentenced a captain, three sergeants, two corporals and a soldier of the Brazilian Army for involvement in a food diversion scheme at the Recife Military College (CMR).
Since 2016, the group has been stealing food, including at least 150 kilos of meat.
The sentences range from five to seven years in prison. The STM excluded all those involved from the Armed Forces, except the captain.
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Investigation reveals food diversion scheme
The scheme came to light in August 2019, when a corporal filmed the transfer of boxes of meat and other food from the school cafeteria to military vehicles and private vehicles.
The recording led to the opening of a detailed investigation, culminating in the formalization of the complaint in 2020.
According to the Military Public Ministry (MPM), Captain João Martins Gomes Neto, head of the CMR Supply Sector, led the scheme.
The sergeants involved co-opted and threatened subordinates to ensure their participation in the scheme.
A corporal manipulated the records in the inventory control system (Siscofis) to artificially reduce the amount of food stored.
The group called the product diversion operation “Day of the Ten Mirréis”.
They removed the items from the cold room after office hour, they packed them in black bags or boxes and transported them without arousing suspicion.
Threats and coercion
Superiors threatened and coerced soldiers who refused to participate in the scheme.
The investigation in fact revealed a loss of R$69.533,08, resulting from discrepancies between accounting records and the physical food stock.
Therefore, the school's nutritionist noticed the absence of approximately 150 kilos of meat and reported the incident to the unit's command.
After the internal complaint, threats against witnesses increased. A corporal said that two sergeants warned him not to report the embezzlement, under penalty of reprisals.
Court proceedings and decisions on food misappropriation
Initially, the Military Court of the Union in Recife acquitted those involved due to lack of evidence.
The Special Justice Council argued that there was no concrete evidence of a criminal organization or of threats and coercion.
However, the Military Public Ministry appealed to the STM, which reformed the decision and convicted all defendants of embezzlement and other crimes.
Penalties applied for food misappropriation:
Captain João Martins Gomes Neto: 7 years, 2 months and 12 days of imprisonment.
2nd Sergeant Ronaldo Silva dos Santos: 7 years, 2 months and 12 days in prison.
1st Sergeant Nilson de França Silva: 5 years, 4 months and 24 days of imprisonment.
2nd Sergeant Adalberto Bartolomeu Corrêa Silva: 5 years, 4 months and 24 days of imprisonment.
Corporal Rodrigo José de Melo Nascimento: 5 years, 4 months and 24 days in prison.
Corporal Thiago Duarte Rodrigues de Sena: 5 years, 4 months and 24 days in prison.
Soldier Gabriel Augusto de Lima: 5 years, 4 months and 24 days in prison.
So STM excluded all defendants from the Armed Forces, except the captain.
He may still be subject to proceedings for loss of rank and rank, due to unworthiness and incompatibility with the officer corps.
Repercussion and consequences
The conviction reinforces the need for more effective control mechanisms to prevent corruption in military institutions.
The case also highlights the impunity that sometimes prevails in lower courts, but which, when reviewed by the STM, resulted in those involved being held accountable.
Therefore, the STM's decision demonstrates the commitment of Military Justice with transparency and the fight against corruption within the Armed Forces.
Therefore, the case highlights the importance of internal complaints and investigations to prevent illegal practices in the military.
Given the gravity of the facts, it is hoped that this conviction will serve as an example to prevent new deviations and irregularities in public institutions, certainly guaranteeing integrity and transparency in the administration of resources allocated to the Brazilian Armed Forces.
Fake News, you publish the news stating that you were from the police and then that you are military personnel from the army, totally different institutions, and this is how Brazilian journalism loses credibility every day.
Confusing report, the headline says police officers and the description says army soldiers!
I think it's unfair not to exclude the captain of the armed forces as well.
There will be a second trial for the captain!
He should have, because he must have forced the others to do the dirty work, and the others, afraid of losing their posts, in the army where they served, the kitchen lieutenant would put the groceries in his car and take them home, no one suspected because those who were on duty did not search inside the car, only the trunk. It's dirty everywhere!