In a significant legal ruling, the former mayor and legal director of Pirajuí, Brazil, were convicted for their roles in a fraudulent property expropriation scheme exposed during Operation Eldorado. This operation investigated corruption, misappropriation of public funds, and ideological falsehoods associated with the expropriation of 94 properties in the Jardim Eldorado subdivision. The inquiry was initiated by the Public Prosecutor's Office, in collaboration with Pirajuí’s Public Ministry and the Special Action Group to Combat Organized Crime (Gaeco) of Bauru, São Paulo.

The investigation revealed that the legal director had knowledge of an impending donation of lots to the municipality due to the properties' lack of commercialization and mounting expenses. However, instead of adhering to lawful due processes, he allegedly acquired these properties at significantly undervalued prices—merely R$ 100 each—and subsequently, the defendants issued a municipal decree using falsified documents to classify the area as of "social interest" to facilitate its expropriation. This maneuver is reported to have aimed at siphoning off millions of reais from the public treasury.

The ruling against these officials reflects broader efforts in Brazil to combat corruption within municipal governance and highlights the ongoing challenges of property management and expropriation practices that can lead to legal abuses. The case showcases the judiciary's increasing resolve to penalize those involved in corrupt practices impacting public resources, reinforcing the accountability demanded from public officials in Brazil.