Investigations pointed to deviations from the National School Feeding Program (PNAE), but court decisions confirmed the absence of fraud or damage to public coffers
The Federal Court decided to acquit the former mayor of Jaime César da Cruz from the accusations related to an alleged school lunch cartel, which would have operated between 2011 and 2013. Investigations pointed to deviations from resources from the National School Feeding Program (PNAE), but court decisions confirmed the absence of fraud or damage to public coffers. Jaime, who held the position of mayor by 2020 and is currently a deputy secretary of education in Monte Mor, expressed his satisfaction with the result, stating that he always acted honestly and that the truth was recognized. He faced accusations of involvement in a overpricing scheme and fraud in the supply of school food, but the Federal Court of Audit (TCU) found no irregularities.
The actions of administrative misconduct that weighed against him were considered unfounded, which means that there was no deceit or illicit enrichment. Jaime’s defense stressed that the court decision is definitive, ending any possibility of appeal and consolidating a favorable outcome for the former mayor. The origin of the complaints about the cartel dates back to an audit by the Comptroller General of the Union, as well as a complaint made by councilors in 2013.
The Attorney’s Office had accused 20 people, including Jaime, of involvement in cartelization and overpricing, but the court did not find enough evidence to corroborate the allegations. Jaime’s lawyer, Flávio Henrique Costa Pereira, stated that the accusations were never founded and that the acquittal restores the honor of the former mayor. He also stated that the defense is not intended to sue the union for damage, focusing on the recovery of his client’s image.
Posted by Sarah Paula
*Report produced with the aid of AI
