Brazilian lawmaker Sóstenes Cavalcante declares R$500 k cash as Federal Police seize most of it
Sóstenes Cavalcante, leader of the PL in Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies, reported to the Tribunal Superior Eleitoral (TSE) that he holds R$500,000 in cash and a R$100,000 plot of land, totaling R$600,000 in assets. In December, the Federal Police, during Operation Galho Fraco, seized R$468,000 of that cash at a residence linked to the deputy.
Cavalcante says the money comes from the sale of a property in Ituiutaba, Minas Gerais, and that he will seek to recover the seized amount, describing it as “lawful.” Prosecutors are investigating whether the cash is linked to alleged diversion of parliamentary quota funds through commissioned staff and companies, a matter that prompted a search‑and‑seizure order signed by Supreme Court justice Flávio Dino.
Entities: Federal Police of Brazil · Operation Galho Fraco · Supreme Court Justice Flávio Dino · Sóstenes Cavalcante · Tribunal Superior Eleitoral
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] In his TSE asset declaration, Cavalcante reported total assets of R$600,000, comprising R$500,000 cash and a R$100,000 land in Brasília.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Cavalcante says he will seek to recover the seized cash, calling it lawful.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] In the 2022 election, Cavalcante declared assets of R$4,426.76, far lower than the current R$600,000 figure.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Federal Police seized R$468,000 of that cash in December during Operation Galho Fraco.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Sóstenes Cavalcante declared to the TSE that he possesses R$500,000 in cash.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The deed for the alleged property sale was registered on December 30, after the police operation.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Cavalcante claims the cash originated from the sale of a property in Ituiutaba, Minas Gerais.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Investigators are probing possible diversion of parliamentary quota funds through commissioned staff and companies.