MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The former minister was detained as part of the seventh phase of the so-called Operation Zelotes, the Globo broadcaster reported. According to the broadcaster, Brazilian police is set to determine Montega's connection to fraud in the Board of Tax Appeals (CARF), which is linked to the finance ministry.
Zelotes was launched earlier this year in a bid to determine whether automotive companies paid government officials who pushed through measures later implemented by former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, that reduced taxes for the sector.
Mantega served as Brazil’s finance minister from 2006 to 2014.
