CADE participates on operation carried out by the Paraiba State Prosecutor’s Office to investigate bid rigging cartels

CADE participates on operation carried out by the Paraiba State Prosecutor’s Office to investigate bid rigging cartels

03/04/2014

The General Superintendence of the Administrative Council for Economic Defense - CADE participated of the operation entitle Papel Timbrado, which was lead by the Paraiba State Prosecutor’s Office– MP/PB, supported by other federal and state bodies to investigate illicit conduct regarding public procurement on civil engineering works in that state.

During the preliminary investigation carried by the MP/PB, there were evidence that the cartel also operated outside the state of Paraiba, such as in federal procurements, reason why the body requested court-appointed the participation of CADE on the operation, on cooperation regimen.

Fourteen members from CADE’s General Superintendence took part on the operation, supporting the execution of 14 search and seizure warrants in the headquarters of the investigated companies, located in João Pessoa.

The operation also embraces other operations for other illicit conducts. Therefore, in addition to the Paraiba State Prosecutor’s Office, the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, the Civil Police, the Military Police, the Court of Auditors of the State of Paraiba, the Federal Court of Auditors, and the Office of the Federal Controller General also participated. In total, the task force counted with 228 civil servants to fulfill 63 search and seizure warrants in more than 10 cities on the state of Paraiba.

The seized materials related to cartels conducts will be shared by the MP/PB with CADE for analysis and to eventually open an administrative proceeding against the companies and individuals involved.