São Paulo prosecutors and Civil Police are investigating possible irregularities in a R$108 million contract between the Municipal Secretariat of Innovation and Technology and Instituto Conhecer Brasil for installing 5,000 free wi-fi points in the capital's periphery. Prosecutor Ricardo de Barros Leonel from the Public and Social Heritage Prosecution Office opened a confidential inquiry following a complaint by councilman Nabil Bonduki (PT), according to G1. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"A Polícia Civil de São Paulo abriu um inquérito para investigar a ONG Instituto Conhecer Brasil por supostas irregularidades em um contrato de R$ 108 milhões com a Prefeitura de São Paulo para a instalação de 5 mil pontos de wi-fi gratuito na periferia, pelo prazo de 12 meses."
"Nessa semana, o promotor Ricardo de Barros Leonel, da Promotoria de Justiça do Patrimônio Público e Social, instarou um inquérito após denúncia do vereador Nabil Bonduki (PT). A investigação corre sob sigilo no órgão."
According to Civil Police, the crimes being investigated are frustration of competitive bidding procedures, fraud in administrative contract execution, and irregular use of public funds. The investigation is conducted by the 2nd Police Station of the Division of Investigations on Crimes against Administration of the Department of Police for Citizenship Protection (DPPC), as reported by Agência Brasil. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Segundo a Polícia Civil, os crimes apurados são de frustração do caráter competitivo de procedimento licitatório, fraude na execução de contrato administrativo, emprego irregular de verbas ou rendas públicas envolvendo a prefeitura de São Paulo."
"A investigação contra a ONG foi aberta a pedido do Ministério Público de São Paulo, após denúncia apresentada por um diretório do Partido dos Trabalhadores de Sapucaia do Sul, no interior do estado. Segundo a Secretaria da Segurança Pública (SSP), o caso é investigado pela 2ª Delegacia da Divisão de Investigações sobre Crimes contra a Administração do Departamento de Polícia de Proteção à Cidadania (DPPC)."
Instituto Conhecer Brasil is managed by journalist and entrepreneur Karina Ferreira da Gama, who also owns Go Up Entertainment, producer of the film "Dark Horse" about former president Jair Bolsonaro. The contract provided for installing 5,000 points by June 2025, but only 3,200 have been installed so far, and three amendments altered the delivery date. The NGO allegedly presented at least R$16.5 million in invoices considered irregular to the city hall, according to investigations. ✓
Press quotes (3)
"O Instituto Conhecer Brasil é uma organização não governamental (ONG) gerida pela jornalista e empresária Karina Ferreira da Gama, que também é dona da Go Up Entertainment, produtora responsável pelo filme biográfico Dark Horse, sobre o ex-presidente Jair Bolsonaro."
"Segundo as investigações, os cinco mil pontos deveriam ser instalados até junho de 2025, mas, até agora, 3.200 foram instalados e três aditivos alteraram a data de entrega total do serviço."
"A ONG teria apresentado pelo menos R$ 16,5 milhões em notas fiscais consideradas irregulares à prefeitura para justificar as despesas do contrato."
In a statement, the Municipal Secretariat of Innovation and Technology said contract execution is "rigorously monitored" and that "there is no definitive decision or administrative process pointing to the existence of structural irregularities, deviations or illegalities." The department reported that in 2024 inconsistencies in financial reporting worth about R$930,000 were identified and fully returned to the municipality. ✓
Press quotes (2)
""Não há nenhuma decisão definitiva ou processo administrativo que aponte a existência de irregularidades estruturais, desvios ou ilegalidades", aponta a pasta."
"Segundo a secretaria, em 2024 foram identificadas inconsistências na prestação de contas do exercício, cujos valores — cerca de R$ 930 mil — foram integralmente devolvidos ao município."
Contract has total value of R$108 million for 5,000 free wi-fi points for 12 months
Instituto Conhecer Brasil is managed by Karina Ferreira da Gama, also owner of Go Up Entertainment
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (2)
Councilman Bonduki points to overpricing of more than R$27 million in the contract
Secretariat returned R$930,000 for inconsistencies in financial reporting in 2024
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What was the specific bidding procedure used for the contract and which companies participated besides Instituto Conhecer Brasil?
Why it's still unknown: Reports mention alleged targeting and lack of competition, but do not detail the complete bidding process
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What is the specific technical basis for the invoices considered irregular worth R$16.5 million?
Why it's still unknown: Investigations point to irregularities but do not specify the technical or legal nature of the identified flaws
Did not cover: G1 Band -
What is the alleged R$27 million overpricing mentioned by councilman Bonduki and how was it calculated?
Why it's still unknown: The complaint mentions the amount but does not present the methodology for calculating the alleged overpricing
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What are the next procedural steps planned in the MP and Civil Police investigation?
Why it's still unknown: Reports do not inform about schedule or next stages of ongoing inquiries