Brazil police target former Rio governor and Refit owner in tax probe

Reports have been emerging that Brazil's federal police targeted former Rio de Janeiro governor Claudio Castro, as well as Refit refinery owner Ricardo Magro. Both are implicated in an investigation focusing on the intentional and illegal misrepresentation of income or assets, according to two sources close to the matter on Friday.

According to the official statement, the Supreme Court has ordered the freezing of approximately 52 billion reais ($10.4 billion) in assets and the temporary suspension of business operations, currently under investigation. Additionally, the court ruled that the suspects should be added to Interpol’s Red Notice list.

Brazil's tax authority has played a pivotal role in the major operation that uncovered money laundering schemes involving a criminal syndicate organization in the fuel sector. 

Given the gravity of the situation, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has called on US President Donald Trump to assist in the process of arrest of the owner of Refit, a leading company involved in the massive tax evasion scheme.

This occurred in the same month that Brazil’s electoral court barred him from holding office for eight years due to unlawful fundraising and the abuse of political and economic power during the 2022 general election.