Advisor Rui Bulhões, who worked as chief of staff to the then president of the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj), Rodrigo Bacellar (União Brasil), was dismissed this Tuesday (16) from his position by the acting president of the House, Guilherme Delaroli (PL). The dismissal was published in an extra edition of Alerj Official Gazette.
He was one of the targets of the second phase of Operation Nail and Flesh, launched today by the Federal Police (PF), as determined by the Minister of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) Alexandre de Moraes. The action resulted in arrest of federal judge of the Federal Regional Court of the 2nd Region (TRF2), Macário Ramos Júdice Neto.
Bulhões’ house underwent a search and seizure operation, as determined by Moraes. Rodrigo Bacellar’s residence was also the target of PF action, with the same purpose.
The PF believes that Neto leaked confidential information to Bacellar about the operation that arrested former state deputy Thiego Raimundo dos Santos Silvas, known as TH Joias, in an action for which the judge was the rapporteur.
The superintendent of the Federal Police in Rio de Janeiro, Fábio Galvão, said that Operation Unha e Carne 2 has unrestricted support from TRF2.
“We are now promoting the transfer of former state deputy Thiego Raimundo dos Santos Silva, known as TH Joias, to federal prison, as determined by minister Alexandre de Moraes. The investigations continue to investigate the fact in its entirety.” He is imprisoned at the Laércio da Costa Pellegrino Penitentiary, in the Gericinó Complex, in Bangu, west of the city.
TH Joias is a designer jeweler who became state deputy in Rio de Janeiro for the MDB. He was arrested on September 3, 2025 for being appointed as the political arm and financial operator of Comando Vermelho. TH Joias is accused of trafficking, money laundering, corruption and arms trading, in addition to using his mandate to benefit the criminal faction.
In early December, based on messages intercepted on TH Joias’ phone, the STF also ordered the arrest of the then president of Alerj. Bacellar spent five days in prison, but was released after the arrest is revoked by Alerj herself. The following day, he resigned from his position.
By decision of Minister Alexandre de Moares, Bacellar has to wear an electronic ankle bracelet and obey some restrictions, such as remaining away from the presidency of Alerj, home confinement, prohibition of communicating with other people being investigated, suspension of carrying a weapon and surrendering a passport.
