Brazil's Superior Court of Justice upheld state deputy Galeno Torquato's conviction for administrative misconduct during his tenure as mayor of São Miguel.
The Superior Court of Justice (STJ) in Brazil has upheld the conviction of state deputy Galeno Torquato from the PSDB party for administrative misconduct related to his time as mayor of São Miguel. The ruling comes from Minister Paulo Sérgio Domingues, who rejected the defense's request to annul the proceedings based on claims of inadequate legal representation. As a result, the penalties previously imposed on Torquato remain in effect, alongside those for four other individuals and two companies tied to the case.
The legal action against Torquato originated from a Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF) complaint, which highlighted alleged irregularities in the management of funds allocated by the Health Ministry during Torquato's mayoral term. Specifically, the complaint indicated that there were irregularities linked to a tender process involving the construction of a Basic Health Unit (UBS) in São Miguel in 2010. The MPF has accused the involved parties of engaging in fraudulent activities to benefit a specific contractor.
The upholding of the conviction not only affects Torquato's political career but also sends a strong message about accountability in public office, particularly concerning the management of health-related funds. This case reflects broader issues of administrative accountability and judicial oversight, which are significant topics of discussion in Brazil as the nation seeks to combat corruption in government practices and restore public trust.
