Source: O Globo - Rio de Janeiro / RJ - 21/10/2010

SÃO PAULO and RIO. More than R $ 2,4 billion. This was a loss for public coffers due to tax evasion and other practices by 1.086 companies in 12 states in the country. In addition to assessing these companies, the operation to combat the evasion of the National Group to Combat Criminal Organizations (GNCOC) launched yesterday presented 405 complaints, involving 678 people.

The estimated loss in tax evasion was R $ 1,372 billion. But the investigation, carried out by a task force that brought together state prosecutors, finance departments and the Civil and Military police, also estimated a gap of over R $ 1,093 billion in other non-criminal irregularities (administrative infractions such as non-payment of taxes , which can be negotiated through installments or discharge).

According to the balance of the operation, 61 complaints were filed against 31 companies in Rio alone, totaling R $ 112 million in tax evasion.

Rio's Public Prosecutor's Office (MPRJ) denounced 90 people for tax crimes and corruption. Only three fuel distribution companies owe together R $ 101 million for ICMS tax evasion. In São Paulo, there was a leak of R $ 547 million in tax evasion, which represents 30% of the total.

The partner of Dínamo Distribuidora de Petróleo (whose name has not been released), located in Duque de Caxias, is accused of not passing on R $ 42 million of tax to the tax authorities between September 2005 and April 2008. With fines and monetary correction, debt reaches R $ 98 million. In four complaints, prosecutor Reinaldo Lomba, of the MPRJ's Coordination for Combating Tax Evasion (Coesf), asks for the arrest of Dínamo's partner for up to 111 years.

MPRJ also denounced the administrator of Arrows Petróleo do Brasil, in Niterói, which has a tax debt of R $ 1,3 million, and the two partners of Petrogold Distribuidora, which owes R $ 2,4 million and is located in Duque de Caxias. Early last night, GLOBO called the three companies, but no one answered. Dynamo's lawyer, Elmiro Chiesse Júnior, did not return calls.