Public Ministry wants to revoke Cláudio Castro’s ticket

Cláudio Castro was accused of abuse of political and economic power. There were money embezzlement schemes at the Rio de Janeiro State Center for Statistics, Research and Training of Public Servants Foundation (CEPERJ) and at the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ). 

The diversions were made based on social projects. In the case of CEPERJ, employees withdrew more than R$220 million in cash. A number of allegations were made of irregular payments.

What would happen if Cláudio Castro and his team were arrested?

If the arrest takes place, Cláudio Castro will be the sixth governor of Rio de Janeiro to be removed or arrested. Before him, there were Luiz Fernando Pezão, Sérgio Cabral, Anthony Garotinho, Rosinha Garotinho and Moreira Franco. Furthermore, the last governor, Wilson Witzel, was removed and is facing legal problems.

According to an analysis by GloboNews commentator Marcelo Lins, if Castro is arrested, the second place candidate in the elections will not take over. Castro had a wide advantage over Marcelo Freixo (PSOL) and new elections would take place in the State. 

Freixo expressed himself on social media:

List of accused:

• Cláudio Bonfim de Castro e Silva (PL);
• Thiago Pampolha Gonçalves (vice-governor – União Brasil);
• Rodrigo da Silva Bacellar (former Government Secretary and re-elected state deputy – PL);
• Gutemberg by Paula Fonseca (former secretary of Sport, Leisure and Youth and elected deputy for federal deputy – PL);
• Leonardo Vieira Mendes (former Secretary of Consumer Protection and re-elected state deputy – PSC);
• Aureo Lídio Moreira Ribeiro (elected federal deputy – Solidariedade);
• Bernardo Chim Rossi (former state deputy – Solidariedade);
• Allan Borges (former State Undersecretary for Infrastructure and Works);
• Max Lemos (State Secretary of Infrastructure and Works and elected federal deputy – PROS);
• Marcos Venissius da Silva Barbosa (elected as deputy federal deputy – Podemos);
• Patrique Welber Atela (State Secretary of Labor and Income);
• Danielle Christian Ribeiro Barros (State Secretary of Culture and Creative Economy).

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