# Refit Group bankruptcy and labor disputes

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/refit-group-bankruptcy-and-labor-disputes
> Updated: 2026-08-31T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 35. Developments: 2.

The Refit Group in Brazil is facing severe legal and financial collapse. Initially, labor disputes emerged as more than 130 dismissed workers sought unpaid severance, FGTS, and labor fines. The Union of Road Workers Employed in Dangerous Goods Companies of the State of Rio de Janeiro filed a request to freeze approximately R$ 5.9 million to guarantee these payments, targeting several companies within the group including Logfit, 76 Oil, and Manguinhos Distribuidora.

Following these labor issues, a Rio de Janeiro court decreed the formal bankruptcy of the Refit Group, converting a judicial recovery process that had been active since 2015. The ruling affects Refinaria de Petróleos Manguinhos S/A, Gasdiesel Serviços Ltda., MG Distribuidora S.A., and Manguinhos Química S/A. This decision follows investigations into alleged structured tax fraud and evasion, with estimated liabilities exceeding R$ 25 billion.

Judge Arthur Ferreira of the 5th Business Court noted that the group’s business model appeared to be based on repeated tax evasion, citing various police and fiscal operations including ‘Operação Sem Refino’, ‘Cadeia de Carbono’, and ‘Carbono Oculto’. The bankruptcy request was formally moved forward by the State of Rio de Janeiro and the State Public Ministry. The court has ordered the immediate freezing of all bank accounts and assets and requires a list of creditors to be presented within five days. The group’s activities had already been suspended following administrative interdiction by the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP). The group’s controller, Ricardo Magro, is currently considered a fugitive.

## Claims

- The bankruptcy affects Gasdiesel Distribuidora de Petróleo S/A, MG Distribuidora S/A, Manguinhos Química S/A, and Refinaria de Petróleos Manguinhos S/A. (corroborated by 27 sources)
- The judge decreed the bankruptcy of four companies belonging to Grupo Refit. (corroborated by 26 sources)
- The court ordered the freezing of all bank accounts and the unavailability of assets belonging to the companies. (corroborated by 26 sources)
- Federal Police investigations, known as Operação Sem Refino, look into alleged political favoritism involving the group. (corroborated by 22 sources)
- The bankruptcy request for the Refit Group was filed by the State of Rio de Janeiro and the State Public Ministry. (corroborated by 22 sources)
- The ANP revoked the operating authorization for the Refit refinery. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The Refit Group's tax debts exceeded R$ 80 million. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The group is suspected of tax evasion and money laundering involving approximately R$ 26 billion. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Manguinhos refinery reported zero revenue in the first quarter of 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Superior Court of Justice (STJ) overturned a previous permission allowing the Refit Group to pay tax debts in installments to the State of Rio de Janeiro. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-31: Refit Group companies declared bankrupt by Rio court

A Rio de Janeiro court has decreed the bankruptcy of four Refit Group companies, citing structured tax fraud and massive tax debts following years of unsuccessful judicial recovery.

35 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/grupo-refit-bankruptcy-decreed-by-rio-de-janeiro-court

### 2026-08-14: Refit workers await court hearing over unpaid severance

Over 130 former Refit employees face delays in receiving severance and labor fines, with a court hearing to request a R$ 5.9 million asset freeze set for October 21.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/refit-workers-await-court-hearing-over-unpaid-severance

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Cite as: Refit Group bankruptcy and labor disputes. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/refit-group-bankruptcy-and-labor-disputes