Protógenes Queiroz

Who is Protógenes Queiroz?

Protógenes Pinheiro Queiroz is a Brazilian Federal Police officer who has led investigations in some of the country's most high profile corruption cases. Queiroz was responsible for investigations leading to imprisonment of the former mayor of São Paulo, Paulo Maluf. He was a key figure in two investigations, in 2005 and 2007, into corruption scandals in Brazilian football. From 2004 to July 2008 Quieroz led Operation Satiagraha, a major operation into misuse of public funds, money laundering and corruption, leading to the arrest of the banker Daniel Dantas and several other prominent figures, including Celso Pitta, another former mayor of São Paulo.

Protógenes Queiroz is a controversial and famous figure in Brazil. While he has been frequently lauded as a lone fighter for truth and justice in a corrupt system — Brazil's Eliot Ness — he has also been criticised and investigated for going beyond his authority in the way he conducts his investigations.

On April 13, 2009, Protogenes Queiroz was suspended indefinitely from the Federal Police for engaging in political activity. Queiroz is now officially affiliated to the PCdoB, and has declared that he will run for congress in 2010.