Former Brazilian MP Alexandre Ramagem Linked to Illegal Gambling Figure

Former federal deputy Alexandre Ramagem (PL-RJ) has been identified in a list belonging to illegal gambling operator Adilsinho, discovered by the Federal Police during the fifth phase of Operation Unha e Carne. The list allegedly details illicit payments, electoral donations, and financial records connected to money laundering and political figures in Rio de Janeiro. Adilsinho, whose full name is Adilson Oliveira Coutinho Filho, was a target of a new arrest warrant in this operation, though he is already incarcerated. While Ramagem was not directly targeted in this specific police action, he is now under investigation along with others named in the seized documents. The Federal Police are intensifying their inquiries into the matter. The seized files, referred to as "planilha 2," reportedly contain four deposits linked to a client identified as "DEP RAMAGEM" and "DEP ALEXANDRE RAMAGEM." Although the year of these deposits is not specified, the records include the month and day, along with the amounts: R$ 39,708.00 on September 2nd, R$ 30,000.00 on September 6th, R$ 18,100.00 on September 21st, and R$ 22,080.00 on September 29th. Ramagem, previously the director of the Brazilian Intelligence Agency (Abin) under the Bolsonaro government, lost his federal deputy mandate following a conviction by the Supreme Federal Court (STF) for his involvement in an attempted coup. He was sentenced to 16 years, one month, and 15 days in a closed regime for crimes including armed criminal organization, attempted violent abolition of the Democratic Rule of Law, and coup d'état. He fled to the United States after his conviction and faces an extradition request from Brazil, while also seeking political asylum. The name of former Rio de Janeiro governor Cláudio Castro (PL) also appears on Adilsinho's list, reportedly citing a R$ 3.2 million donation for his 2022 reelection campaign. Castro, who served from 2021 to 2026, resigned before a Superior Electoral Court (TSE) judgment that would have led to his disqualification. Castro was not a target of the recent operation, and his defense has denied any illicit payments from Adilsinho, stating that a mention of his name does not prove wrongdoing. The fifth phase of Operation Unha e Carne aims to investigate money laundering schemes by the leadership of illegal gambling operations and their potential links to executive and legislative branches in Rio de Janeiro. The operation has also led to the arrest of pastor and businessman Márcio Poncio, investigated for alleged ties to the "Cigarette Mafia," and further targets Adilsinho and former deputy Rodrigo Bacellar. The court has ordered the seizure of assets up to R$ 22 million, based on previous operation findings indicating illicit payments to at least 20 politicians in the state. This phase stems from an STF directive to investigate connections between criminal groups and public officials, building upon previous investigations into information leaks, corruption scandals, and hiring fraud.