The penthouse in Barra da Tijuca where former governor Cláudio Castro (PL) lives is registered in the name of lawyer José Mauro de Farias Jr., former head of the state secretariat for Digital Transformation. The Federal Police (PF) cited the property as part of a scheme aimed at "concealing illicit benefits" to members of the Rio de Janeiro state government.
Farias Jr. bought approximately R$ 9 million in properties last year, within an eight-month interval. The acquisitions included properties in the state capital of Rio de Janeiro and in the interior of the state, between February and October 2025, a period following his departure from the government.
The PF is investigating whether the former secretary was acting as a front man to hide Castro's assets. The real estate transactions are under analysis in the operation that investigates corruption and money laundering crimes in the state administration.
In recent years, Farias opened a network of at least ten companies, all following the same pattern: they have the letter "J" as the initial, corresponding to the first letter of his full name. The business structure is also under investigation by the authorities.
