Bolsonaro Asked for Change in Command of Rio Police, Moro Says

(Bloomberg) -- Former Brazil Justice Minister Sergio Moro told investigators Jair Bolsonaro wanted to replace the chief of the federal police in Rio de Janeiro, the state where the president built his political career, according to a document seen by Bloomberg.

Moro's allegation, made during a Saturday testimony to federal prosecutors, adds to his previous accusation that Bolsonaro was trying to meddle in police work by naming a family friend as top cop at the institution akin to the U.S.'s Federal Bureau of Investigations. That person would be in charge of other 27 regional police superintendents across the country.

“Moro, you have 27 superintendencies, I only want one, the one in Rio de Janeiro,” Bolsonaro told his then-minister in a WhatsApp message, according to the document that was leaked to CNN Brasil on Tuesday. The contents were confirmed to Bloomberg by a person with direct knowledge of the matter.

The federal police have been carrying out a number of investigations that could potentially implicate Bolsonaro's sons, who live in Rio. Brazil's top court barred the nomination of Alexandre Ramagem as the new police chief, and has allowed prosecutors to investigate Moro's accusations. The court also gave the green light for them to hear from ministers Moro said were witnesses to Bolsonaro's attempts to interfere.

Bolsonaro, who has denied wrongdoing, said on Tuesday the new police chief he appointed earlier this week after backtracking from Ramagem's nomination has the right to change any regional police managers. He made similar comments when rebutting Moro's accusations last month, saying replacing the head of the federal police was his prerogative as president.

The top court declined to comment on the leaked document, saying the investigation is under secrecy. The federal police declined to comment about the ongoing probe, while Moro's lawyers didn't immediately reply to a request for comment.

Bolsonaro's firing of the federal police chief, and Moro's subsequent resignation, triggered the worst political crisis of his government. It added to his controversial handling of the coronavirus pandemic, just as the Brazilian economy spirals into recession.