We’re covering the arrest of Fabrício Queiroz, a close ally to the president, this morning. The Central Bank’s decision to lower interest rates. A new debt renegotiation process. And the latest development in the Trump-Bolsonaro relationship.
? BREAKING: Bolsonaro ally Fabrício Queiroz arrested near São Paulo
Fabrício Queiroz, a retired cop with close ties to the Bolsonaro family, was arrested this morning. He is a friend of President Jair Bolsonaro’s and worked as an advisor and driver for Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, during his stint as a Rio state lawmaker. He was being harbored by Senator Bolsonaro’s lawyer, hiding at his home in Atibaia, a city 90 kilometers from São Paulo.
Why it matters. Mr. Queiroz is a key piece in an investigation around alleged money-laundering schemes headed by Flávio Bolsonaro.
The probe. In 2018, Brazil’s money laundering enforcement agency found that the former driver made “atypical transactions” in 2016 totaling BRL 1.2 million (USD 230,000). These transactions were made through cash deposits and withdrawals — customary when the intent is to conceal the source and recipient of the funds.
- Investigators believe Mr. Queiroz helped Flávio Bolsonaro force his staff to surrender part of their paychecks to the lawmaker. This practice...