Rio de Janeiro probes ex-governor Claudio Castro while interim governor Ricardo Couto orders 2,500 exonerations

The Rio de Janeiro State Public Ministry (MPRJ) and the Court of Auditors (TCE‑RJ) are investigating former governor Claudio Castro for alleged illegal use of chartered jets. A complaint filed by state deputy Martha Rocha cites contracts worth nearly R$30 million with Líder Táxi Aéreo for flights to events such as Salvador’s Carnival, the São Paulo Formula 1 race and the Gramado tourism festival. The probe seeks passenger lists, flight plans, invoices and calls for suspension of payments to the airline until a full audit is completed.

Separately, the Federal Police’s “Operation Sem Refino” targets a scheme of fiscal fraud and illegal favoritism involving the Refit group, former state finance secretary Juliano Pasqual (appointed by Castro), and several finance‑department officials. The investigation alleges a network that shielded Refit’s owner Ricardo Magro from tax enforcement.

After Castro’s resignation, judge Ricardo Couto, acting governor, has exonerated 2,509 civil servants—mainly commissioned and advisory roles—across ministries such as Agriculture, Finance and Health. The cuts follow an audit by the Casa Civil and Governo secretariats and are part of a broader “pente‑fino” aimed at removing appointees linked to the previous administration.