The Federal Court of Accounts has detected that the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces irregularly spent resources that had been assigned to the combat of Covid-19. The information can be seen in the audit of the court voted on Wednesday (29).
The conclusion is based on the analysis of R$ 15.6 million in Defense and Armed Forces expenses with resources from the Ministry of Health for logistical support provided during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
The Federal Court of Accounts pointed out that R$ 256,000 was spent by the Army on snacks, ice cream, and soft drinks, which, due to their low nutritional value, "would not be to reinforce food supplies for the troops engaged in Operation Covid".
There was also a purchase of 12,000 kilos of filet mignon and sirloin steak for R$447,000. About 50% of the Army's food expenditures benefited organizations that did not have troops. In the Navy, credits went to structures with no connections to the health sector.
Folha reached out to the Ministry of Defense and to the Armed Forces for comments. The only reply came from the Army stating that the work they do is based on respect for legality, fairness, and transparency in the management of public goods and resources.
Translated by Cassy Dias