The Court of Justice of São Paulo (TJSP) has acquitted former mayor Ana Cristina of Campos do Jordão of charges related to permitting a company to install Christmas decorations and hold events without a public bidding process during her administration from 2008 to 2012. Alongside her, former tourism secretary Tércio Laurelli was also acquitted in a decision by the second instance court. This case dates back to a complaint made by the São Paulo Public Prosecutor's Office in 2012, which alleged that services rendered were funded by private companies, amounting to R$ 1.4 million. Previously, both individuals had been sentenced to 14 years in prison in the first instance but appealed the ruling.

In his vote, the reporting judge, Christiano Jorge, emphasized that the dismissal of the bidding process either benefited the city by serving the public interest, incurring no costs to the administration or constituted an act damaging to public assets. The case has raised questions about the integrity of financial dealings in public office and the accountability of elected officials during their tenures. The acquittal might set a precedent for similar cases concerning the public procurement process, particularly in cases where benefits to constituents are argued.

As a result of this ruling, the legal implications could reinforce the importance of assessing public interest in administrative decisions against strict legal compliance. It also shines a light on the broader issue of how local governments manage their finances and the scrutiny they face, reinforcing public interest regarding transparency and fairness in such procurement processes.