Várzea Grande political recordings reveal pre-election meetings

Audio recordings obtained during the Cathedra Venalis operation have revealed political coordination meetings held at the residence of Wanderley Cerqueira’s mother. Cerqueira, the president of the Várzea Grande Municipal Chamber, was recorded stating that 15 council members had gathered at his mother's home for a meal to align political support.

The meetings took place in April 2026, shortly before an election for the Chamber's Board of Directors. While the election initially re-elected Cerqueira, the Supreme Federal Court (STF) subsequently annulled the results. In the recordings, Cerqueira expressed confidence in his group's loyalty, specifically mentioning council members Caio Cordeiro and Rogerinho Dakar while dismissing a competing candidacy.

The investigation, launched by the Public Ministry on October 20, 2026, aims to probe suspicions of active and passive corruption, as well as vote-buying related to the leadership disputes within the municipal legislature. Investigators noted that while the recordings document political negotiations and meetings, they do not, by themselves, prove the exchange of illicit payments or advantages.