The mayor of Turilândia (MA), Paulo Curió, is preventively detained at the Pedrinhas Penitentiary Complex, in São Luís. Also arrested were the city’s first lady, Eva Curió, the former vice-mayor Janaina Soares Lima, her husband, Marlon de Jesus Arouche Serrão and the city hall’s accountant, Wandson Jhonathan Barros. 
After a custody hearing, held last Wednesday (24), the Criminal Judicial Service of the District of São Luís Island said that preventive arrests of those under investigation are regular. In addition to them, five councilors who had outstanding arrest warrants presented themselves yesterday (25) at the Pinheiro Prison Unit (UPPHO) to install electronic ankle monitors.
The group is being investigated together with 20 councilors and a former councilor for being part of a million-dollar scheme to divert public resources. An investigation by the Public Ministry of Maranhão (MPMA) shows that they are part of a criminal organization responsible for embezzling more than R$56 million from the municipality, located in Baixada Maranhense.
On Monday (22), the MPMA’s Special Action Group to Combat Criminal Organizations (Gaeco) launched Operation Tântalo II, with the execution of 51 search and seizure warrants and 21 arrest warrants. In a single target, in São Luís, almost R$2 million were seized.
According to the investigation, during Paulo Curió’s management, the criminal organization committed the crimes of bidding fraud, active and passive corruption, embezzlement and money laundering. The scheme caused damage to the treasury of more than R$56 million.
The investigations also involve the companies Posto Turi, SP Freitas Júnior LTDA, Luminer e Serviços LTDA, MR Costa LTDA, AB Ferreira LTDA, Climatech Refrigeração e Serviços Ltda, JEC Empreendimentos, Potencial Empreendimentos e Cia Ltda, WJ Barros Consultoria Contábil and Agromais Pecuária e Piscicultura LTDA, as well as other individuals and legal entities, public servants, private individuals and political agents.
