The “Coffee Break” operation launched by the Federal Police on Wednesday 12th this week, based on allegations of fraud in public tenders in three states, also targets advisers to the Secretariat of Government headed by Gilberto Casab (PSD). Former Limeira mayor Mario Celso Botion was in charge of agreements with city halls in the Campinas region for three months. He will be terminated upon request, the ministry said.
This information was revealed by Folha de São Paulo newspaper and confirmed by GLOBO. According to information from TV Globo’s EPTV, PF’s allegations relate to the purchase of robotics kits, textbooks and technology licenses from Life Educacional, a company accused of inflating prices. R$10.7 million was spent when Mr. Beauchon was still mayor. Investigators executed search warrants at both his home and business.
In a statement to the press, Beauchon insisted that the company’s hiring “has been carried out in a regular and transparent manner, in compliance with all legal principles of public administration, in particular legality, impersonality, morality, publicity and efficiency.”
The former mayor took office in the Tarcisio de Freitas (Republican) government in August. At the time, he published a video on social media with Kassab saying that he would be the director of agreements in the ministry’s regional office, covering 90 cities, including Limeira.
He praised the new hire, saying, “With his experience, reliability, and ability to work, not every government would be able to welcome Mario Beauchon to their team.” The advisor plans to run for PSD state parliament in 2026.
According to PF, the case is based on a decision of the First Federal Court of Campinas, which executed a total of 50 search and seizure warrants and six preventive arrest warrants. In addition to São Paulo, personnel were also deployed to the Federal District and the state of Paraná. The investigation was assisted by the Federal Comptroller General (CGU) and the São Paulo state military police.
“Those investigated may be held liable for active and passive corruption, embezzlement, tender fraud, money laundering, illegal direct employment, and criminal organization,” the corporation said.
In a memo published by G1, Vochon’s communications department reported that it regularly contracted out robot kits and followed strict administrative procedures.
“Tendering processes for educational technology solutions, such as robotics kits, educational materials, teacher training, and licenses for the use of educational platforms, took place during his management and were carried out in a regular and transparent manner, observing all legal principles governing public administration, in particular legality, impersonality, morality, publicity, efficiency, etc.,” he points out.
“It has become clear that the external control bodies that analyzed the procedures, such as the Ministry of Public Affairs and the Comptroller General of the State of São Paulo (TCE-SP), did not report any irregularities on the part of the administrative authorities in their control or in connection with the performance of contracts arising therefrom.”
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