Stock Markets

Brazilian police arrest three suspects in 2018 murder of Rio council member

Published

1 month ago

March 25, 2024

Brazilian police arrest three suspects in 2018 murder of Rio council member

By Fabio Teixeira and Ricardo Brito

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) -Brazilian police arrested three people on Sunday, including a federal lawmaker, in connection with the 2018 murder of Rio de Janeiro city council member Marielle Franco and her driver, two sources at the federal police told Reuters.

Federal police arrested Congressman Chiquinho Brazao, his brother Domingos Brazao, a councilor on the Rio de Janeiro state audit court (TCE), and former Rio police chief Rivaldo Barbosa, the two sources said on condition of anonymity.

The police said in a statement that it was serving three arrest warrants and 12 search and seizure warrants in connection with the murder, but mentioned no names.

Police officers arrived at TCE headquarters early on Sunday to carry out a search and seizure warrant at the office of Domingos Brazao, the audit court said in a statement. In a statement to journalists outside the headquarters of the federal police in Rio, Brazao’s lawyer said his client is innocent.

Chiquinho Brazao’s office and Rio’s police did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

Franco was gunned down in her car as she left an event on the night of March 14, 2018, with her driver Anderson Gomes and her press secretary Fernanda Chaves, who survived.

In March 2019, two former police officers, Ronnie Lessa and Elcio de Queiroz, were indicted on charges of shooting Franco and her driver, and last year police arrested another suspect linked to the case.

Queiroz, accused of driving the car used in the crime, and Lessa, suspected of firing the gun, made plea bargain agreements with authorities, with Lessa providing information on who gave the order to kill Franco.

Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski said Lessa gave investigators important new information last week that would allow them to solve the case “soon.”

Franco, 38, was a black, openly gay and progressive council member born in a poor Rio de Janeiro neighborhood. Investigators believe her killing to be a political assassination carried out by paid hit men.

A rising star in the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL), Franco was an outspoken critic of police killings of Rio slum residents and her death sparked nationwide protests by Brazilians fed up with endemic violence.

In tears, Franco’s widow, Monica Benicio said she was not surprised to hear about Brazao’s family involvement in the case. Over the years, it was often speculated that the brothers were in some way linked to the murder.

Benicio, however, said she was shocked to know Barbosa, Rio’s police chief at the time of the murder, could be involved.

“He was the first authority who received the family the following day,” Benicio told journalists outside of the federal police headquarters in Rio, adding that Barbosa hugged her and made assurances that solving the case was a priority.

Gomes’ widow, Agatha Arnaus, told journalists that Barbosa’s involvement was a “slap in the face” as he had previously told them he was a friend of Franco’s.

“Today is another big step towards getting the answers we have asked so much in recent years: who ordered Mari to be killed and why?” Anielle Franco, the victim’s sister and Brazil’s minister of racial equality, said on X.

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Oak Valley Community Bank Named One of Central Valley’s Best Places to Work

Published

10 hours ago

April 27, 2024

OAKDALE, Calif., April 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Oak Valley Community Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oak Valley Bancorp (NASDAQ: OVLY) is pleased to announce that it was named by Best Companies Group as one of 2024 Best Places to Work: Central Valley. At the same time, OVCB was recognized by Opportunity Stanislaus for Growing the Economy by increasing their workforce by 10% or more throughout 2023.

We are honored to be acknowledged for our growth and named one of the Best Places to Work in the Central Valley. This recognition is a testament to our commitment to fostering a positive and supportive workplace environment and excellence in all that we do. Our success is built on our service culture, which is embraced by all members of our team. Our exceptional service is what distinguishes us. It’s not just about meeting expectations; it’s about exceeding them in ways that build lasting trust and loyalty. By delivering on this promise consistently, we create our own brand ambassadors “ who speak highly of the bank and refer colleagues and friends. We would like to take this opportunity to recognize our team. We are grateful for their loyalty and commitment to our customers, our communities, and each other, stated Chris Courtney, CEO.

Best Places to Work: Central Valley is a survey and recognition program dedicated to celebrating those employers locally who excel at creating quality jobs and environments where employees are happy to work. As a research-driven program from Best Companies Group, Best Places to Work examines a company’s practices, programs, and benefits and surveys employees for their perspective. All companies that participated in the 2024 Best Places to Work: Central Valley program receive an in-depth evaluation identifying strengths and weaknesses according to their employees. In turn, this report can be used in developing or enhancing employee retention and recruitment programs.

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We are honored to be recognized with this year’s Best Places to Work recipients; Automation Group; O’Dell (NYSE:) Engineering, Inc., Grimbleby Coleman Advisors & Accountants, Haggerty Construction, Inc., ITSolutions-Currie, One Digital, The Wonderful Company, and Community Hospice & Health Services.

Best Places to Work: Central Valley is brought to you by Opportunity Stanislaus. For more information on Best Places to Work: Central Valley visit www.bestplacestoworkcentralvalley.com.

About Opportunity Stanislaus Opportunity Stanislaus is a local economic development organization focused on improving the economic vitality of Stanislaus County. To do so, they help local entrepreneurs start and grow businesses and work to attract innovative companies to the county. For more information visit www.opportunitystanislaus.com.

About Oak Valley Community Bank OVCB offers a variety of loan and deposit products to individuals and small businesses. They currently operate through 18 conveniently located branches: Oakdale, Turlock, Stockton, Patterson, Ripon, Escalon, Manteca, Tracy, Sacramento, Roseville, two branches in Sonora, three branches in Modesto, and three branches in their Eastern Sierra Division, which includes Bridgeport, Mammoth Lakes, and Bishop. For more information visit www.ovcb.com.