Scheme with Ultrafarma and Fast Shop: what has been discovered so far

The São Paulo State Finance Department asked, on Tuesday morning (12), that the MPSP (Public Ministry of São Paulo) share all information relevant to the case.

The São Paulo government also reported having opened administrative proceedings into the conduct of the civil servant accused of involvement in the scheme.

The note released by the Finance Department informs that the agency is at the disposal of the authorities and will collaborate with the developments of the Public Ministry's investigation through Corfisp (Tax Inspection Inspectorate).

According to investigations, the scheme reportedly yielded more than R$1 billion in bribes to the inspector. The operation was launched by GEDEC (Special Task Force for the Repression of Economic Crimes) and aims to dismantle a criminal group responsible for favoring companies in the retail sector .

According to the Public Prosecutor's Office, the state inspector manipulated administrative processes to facilitate the payment of tax credits. In return, he received monthly payments through a company registered in his mother's name.

Ultrafarma promised the Public Prosecutor's Office a compliance program 3 months before the operation

The court decision obtained by CNN indicates that the tax consultancy founded by São Paulo State Revenue auditor Artur Gomes da Silva Neto, together with his mother, saw its assets jump in two years from R$411 thousand to R$2 billion .

According to the Operation Icarus indictment , the scheme involved the undue release of ICMS credits in exchange for bribes, which were laundered through a consulting firm in the name of the inspector's mother, whose assets jumped to R$2 billion .

MP investigates scheme link with 4 more companies

At the center of the scheme is Artur Gomes da Silva Neto , a tax auditor for the State Revenue Service who held a prominent position in the Finance Department. He is identified as the main operator, using his position to grant undue tax benefits to large retail companies.

To receive the bribes , Artur used the company Smart Tax Consultoria e Auditoria Tributária Ltda. , registered in the name of his mother, Kimio Mizukami da Silva , a 73-year-old retired teacher who did not provide the services. Kimio's wealth growth is a crucial point in the investigation.

In a statement, Fast Shop said it has not yet had access to the contents of the investigation and is cooperating by providing information to the competent authorities.

CNN contacted Ultrafarma and the attorneys for Sidney Oliveira, Mario Otávio Gomes, and Artur Gomes da Silva Neto, but has not yet received a response. The space remains open.

Sidney Oliveira's career is recounted by the businessman in several testimonials, which recount his humble beginnings in Paraná. Sidney is the eldest of 11 children and says he began working as a shoeshine boy at the age of seven.

At the age of 17, he says he acquired his first medicine station and, shortly after, moved to São Paulo, where the market potential was greater.

In 2000, he founded Ultrafarma , changing the dynamics of the pharmaceutical industry with an aggressive low-price policy. According to him, the strategy consists of negotiating directly with pharmaceutical companies, eliminating intermediaries to ensure lower costs and pass the savings on to consumers.

Arrested auditor had direct contact with Sidney Oliveira, says MP

Under Sidney Oliveira 's leadership , Ultrafarma expanded its business beyond the sale of medications. The company became a national leader in the sale of vitamins and supplements.

Mario Otávio Gomes had served as a statutory director for more than 10 years at Fast Shop , in addition to more than 30 years at the company, and allegedly facilitated the hiring of Smart Tecs to allegedly provide tax services.

He is identified as the main person responsible within Fast Shop for negotiating the contract, through which the bribe was paid to the auditor of the São Paulo State Revenue , Artur Gomes da Silva Neto .

During the same period as the billion-dollar transaction, more than 200 messages were released between Mario and the auditor, relating to the criminal services he provided.

*Published by Thomaz Coelho