Ex-Official's Documents Put Mario Frias's Office Under 'Rachadinha' Suspicion

Allegations of "rachadinha," a practice where public employees return part of their salaries to politicians or their associates, have surfaced against the office of Brazilian federal deputy Mario Frias (PL-SP). Payment receipts and bank statements belonging to Gardênia Morais, a former employee in Frias's Chamber of Deputies office, reportedly indicate she returned portions of her salary to individuals connected to the politician.

Morais, who worked for Frias from February 2023 to May 2024, claims that the deputy was aware of these alleged salary kickbacks. She stated that the practice was an initial agreement involving the chief of staff, with Frias's knowledge. "The deputy was aware of all the returns. It was an initial agreement, the deputy always participates," Morais told G1.

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The deputy was aware of all the returns. It was an initial agreement, the deputy always participates. And then the day-to-day negotiations occurred with Azevedo, who at the time was the chief of staff, the deputy's right-hand man.

According to Morais, she was instructed to transfer funds to various accounts to obscure the money trail. The documents accessed by G1 detail approximately R$ 35,116 in alleged repayments, though Morais indicated more money was returned. These transfers were reportedly made to Raphael Azevedo, Frias's former chief of staff, his ex-wife, and another family member. Additionally, Morais allegedly made a Pix transfer of R$ 1,000 to Frias's mother and paid a credit card bill for Frias's wife, Juliana Frias, amounting to R$ 4,832.32.

Further records indicate Morais took out five payroll loans totaling R$ 174,886, with only one reportedly for personal use. Azevedo, who left his position in February 2024, previously worked for state deputy Gil Diniz and the PSL party. Mario Frias is also known as the executive producer of the film "Dark Horse," a movie about former President Jair Bolsonaro. Frias's current chief of staff, Diego Ramos, told G1 that he was unaware of the alleged practices, as they predated his tenure, and expressed confidence that Frias also had no knowledge of them.

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My salary was gradually increasing. At the Chamber, we have the 'steps.' In the end, it was around R$ 20,000. I had, on average, R$ 6,000 to R$ 7,000 left. I returned it every month, according to my 'step.'