Former Education Minister Milton Ribeiro was arrested on Wednesday (22) as part of the Federal Police's Paid Access operation. The investigations are investigating whether there was influence peddling, malfeasance and corruption in the release of funds from the National Education Development Fund (FNDE), which is linked to the MEC.
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Ribeiro's arrest influenced Bolsonaro's stance just 101 days before the first round of elections. The president, who defended the former minister on several occasions in his live broadcasts on social media, has now “washed his hands”. In interview with Itatiaia radio, Bolsonaro stated that Ribeiro must answer for his own actions: “If the Federal Police arrested him, there is a reason. And the former minister will explain himself. We left when we had to leave, when the accusations emerged.” Previously, Bolsonaro had said that he would put his “face in the fire” for the minister, who ended up asking to leave the government amid the scandal.
In March of this year the Folha de S. Paulo released an audio of a meeting between the former minister and mayors. On the occasion, Milton Ribeiro said he was responding to Bolsonaro's request to prioritize the release of funds for city halls sent by pastors. “My priority is to first serve the municipalities that need it most and, secondly, to serve all those who are friends of Pastor Gilmar,” he stated.
Ribeiro was the fourth Education Minister to fall during Jair Bolsonaro's government. He was in charge of the department between July 2020 and March 2022.
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