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The 1st Electoral Zone of the Regional Electoral Court of Goiás () condemned the governor on Monday night, Ronaldo Caiado (União Brasil), and determined his ineligibility for eight years for abuse of political power during this year’s municipal elections. According to the first degree decision handed down by judge Maria Umbelina Zorzetti, Whitewashed used the headquarters of his government, the Palácio das Esmeraldas, to hold campaign events for his candidate in Goiânia, the elected mayor Sandro Mabel (União Brasil).
Caiado and Mabel would have benefited from dinners with councilors (Photo: Disclosure)
The judge also requests the revocation of Mabel and the elected vice-mayor, Coronel Cláudia (Avante), who would have benefited from the episodes. Whitewashed e Mabel may still file embargoes for declaration within the THREE or go to the Superior Electoral Court (TSE). For this reason, the elected mayor will be able to take office normally, since the loss of office only occurs after the process has become final.
The reason for the conviction, still in the first instance, are dinners with political leaders that took place between the 7th and 9th of October, right after the first round of the election.
“The property used by the investigated Ronaldo Caiado for holding events constitutes a public asset for special use under the terms of article 99, item II, of the Brazilian Civil Code. The images in the videos that provide the initial instructions demonstrate that the environment was prepared to offer food and drinks to guests and even included decoration”, says an excerpt from the decision, which is still subject to appeal.
Images were released by allies of Whitewashed e Mabel and, according to the case records, the dinners had an electoral nature, favoring the candidate. The sentence of THREE quotes lines attributed to the governor.
— You are not here as individuals, you are here as the leaders that you are and you put your names forward to contest a municipal election! So put on this credential and return with great humility: “Look, thank you for your vote. I wasn’t elected, but you can know that I will continue in the political fight because having the Sandro Mabel At city hall, I have access to solve problems in my region and he will solve them because he has the support of the governor Ronaldo Caiado”, my unconditional support. And that I will be in my campaign, alongside him, full time — Caiado reportedly said.
Previously, the Public Prosecutor’s Office had already defended the conviction of Whitewashed e Mabelwhich was accepted by the judge. The action was motivated by the action of the opponent defeated by the mayor elected in the second round, Fred Rodrigues (PL). THE Bolsonaro requested the ineligibility of Mabelhis deputy and Whitewashedwhich was defended by the Electoral Court, understanding that there was an imbalance in the dispute.
To support the abuse of political power, the decision states that Whitewashed used government materials, food and drinks, and public servant services to welcome the candidate. The document also argues that the dinners were publicized in the press and on social media, which would have compromised the normality of the election.
“In the present case, the events reported took place on the premises of Palácio das Esmeraldas, an asset belonging to the State of Goiás, in favor of the candidate for mayor of Goiânia Sandro Mabel and its Vice-Mayor, therefore, conduct prohibited by electoral legislation. (…) The informant interviewed confirmed the use of servers intended for the maintenance of the official residence to organize the events (cooks, waiters, waiters, personnel who control the sound equipment, security guards, etc…) and also said that drinks were served at the events , facts that constitute a misuse of purpose, in order to exceed spending authorizations for the aforementioned location”, argues the judge.
The defenses of Whitewashed e Mabel deny irregularities. Second Whitewashedthe events were institutional meetings without a public nature with the aim of congratulating the elected candidates for the work carried out, discussing strategies for the city and strengthening the dialogue between the Executive and Legislative branches.
Mabelin turn, said that the dinners were meetings between the governor and candidates from its allied base. When the MP spoke out for his impeachment, last month, the elected mayor issued a statement stating that the agenda had no connection with the second round. Both advisors were contacted again and the report will be updated if they return.
To GLOBO, Fred Rodrigues (PL)’s lawyer praised the decision in the first instance.
— Robust, complete and very in-depth, demonstrating all the details of the abuse of political power. In our opinion, it does not deserve any repair by the TRE in the event of an appeal — said Victor Hugo dos Santos Pereira.
