The trial on the privatization process of Companhia Riograndense de Saneamento (Corsan) was resumed in the First Chamber of the State Court of Auditors (TCE), this Tuesday (29). Even with the vote of councilor Renato Azeredo for the regularity of the sale, the final score was 2 to 1, forming a majority to annul the sale of the state-owned company. The State Attorney General’s Office (PGE) must appeal.
:: Public hearing will debate Corsan’s privatization process in the Chamber of Deputies ::
Azeredo disagreed with the report’s opinion that Corsan had been undervalued in the sale process. “I find no evidence capable of convincing me of the existence of irregularities in the auction and the resulting contracting,” he said.
In a session held on July 18, counselor Ana Cristina Moraes, rapporteur of the process, voted to annul the privatization, pointing out differences between the value presented by the state’s projections and that demonstrated by the company – a case of underpricing. Her vote was accompanied by councilor Estilac Xavier, already forming the majority. At the time, counselor Azeredo asked for views.
Even with the final result favorable to annulment, the trial was again suspended, as Ana Cristina Moraes is on vacation. Her return is scheduled for September 8, when the process should be completed. Afterwards, the PGE must file an appeal and the process will be sent for analysis by the Full Court, composed of seven directors.
Although the process is still ongoing, governor Eduardo Leite (PSDB) signed, in July, the sales contract and transfer of Corsan to the Aegea group, after several legal twists and turns. The signing continued the Company’s sale process, which was sold at auction in December last year for R$4.151 billion, after an injunction granted by the president of the TCE, Alexandre Postal.
Source: BdF Rio Grande do Sul
Editing: Marcelo Ferreira
