Mônica Bergamo: Entities linked to Caixa ask for rigorous criminal investigation against Pedro Guimarães

A group of six entities linked to Caixa Econômica Federal prepared this Wednesday (29) a note asking that the institution’s president, Pedro Guimarães, be the target of a rigorous administrative and criminal investigation after the revelation of sexual harassment allegations.

The entities also congratulate the employees who made the accusations, whom they call “courageous women”, and make themselves available to help them. The case was revealed on Tuesday (28) by the Metrópoles portal, which also reports the existence of an investigation by the Federal Public Ministry (MPF).

“The entities recognize and praise the attitude of the employees in exposing all these cases, while making themselves available to assist in whatever is necessary. The complaints reiterated by several colleagues are very serious and expose Caixa to an indisputable risk to its institutional image” , says the letter.

The document has among its signatories the National Association of Architects and Engineers of Caixa Econômica Federal (Aneac), the National Association of Internal Auditors of Caixa Econômica Federal (AudiCaixa), the National Association of Lawyers of Caixa Econômica Federal (Advocef), the Federation National Federation of Caixa Econômica Federal’s Associations of Managers (Fenag), the National Federation of Passoal Federations of Caixa Econômica Federal (Fenae) and SocialCaixa.

“We defend a rigorous investigation of the facts in the administrative and criminal scope, ensuring the due ample defense as a measure of sanitation and accountability to employees and society, while we defend the removal of the current President from his duties at Caixa to guarantee the smoothness of the internal process”, they say.

This Tuesday, President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) chose Daniella Marques, right-hand man of Minister Paulo Guedes (Economy), to preside over Caixa Econômica Federal in place of Pedro Guimarães.

as showed the SheetBolsonaro allies were angered by Pedro’s resistance to leaving office and spent the morning pressuring the president to fire him.

The president of Caixa wants to leave the post as “away” so that investigations by the MPF can be conducted. Bolsonaro’s allies, however, defend the resignation so that the chief executive can demonstrate that he rejects the behavior adopted by the hitherto first-time ally.

The accusations revealed by the Metrópoles portal claim that at least five Caixa employees say they have been victims of sexual harassment by Guimarães. In one of the reports, one of them says that a person connected to the president of the bank asked what they would do “if the president” wanted to “have sex with you?”.

According to the whistleblower, during a trip, he was in the pool and “looked like a porpoise showing off”. In addition, employees received calls to go to Guimarães’ room, among other reports. A Caixa employee heard by the Sheet also reported that she was harassed by Pedro Guimarães. She claims to have been pulled by the neck and to have been in shock after the episode.

“Then when I went out, he grabbed me by the neck and said: ‘I really want you.’ I left the room, in shock and crying,” she said. “Then, at another time, he already ran his hand around my waist and lowered it, but I left before it got worse.”

wanted by Sheet to comment on the allegations, the president of Caixa did not respond. To Metrópoles, the bank reported ignorance about the accusations.

_{with BIANKA VIEIRA, KARINA MATIAS and MANOELLA SMITH}