Gladys Pereira Rodrigues da Costa, who previously served as a councilor in Armação dos Búzios, was taken into custody by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Rio de Janeiro for allegedly being involved in a scheme known as 'rachadinha', a practice where funds meant for public officials are illicitly siphoned off. The investigation, which began in 2022, revealed that over R$ 200,000 allocated for salaries of her assistants was misappropriated between 2017 and 2020. This has raised significant concerns regarding corruption and the misuse of public funds in the region.

Upon her arrest, footage captured Gladys reacting defiantly, making inappropriate gestures and verbally attacking the current mayor, Alexandre Martins, claiming he was the true criminal. Her outburst and accusations pointed to underlying tensions in local politics and suggested that her accusations may stem from deeper, unresolved issues with the mayor’s administration, including allegations of land theft involving the mayor and his family. Such incidents often highlight the contentious atmosphere surrounding local governance in Brazil, where corruption scandals frequently emerge.

Gladys, along with three accomplices, has been charged with organized crime and embezzlement. These charges underscore the systemic issues of corruption within Brazilian politics, particularly at the local level, and raise questions about accountability among elected officials. This situation will likely provoke further scrutiny of local leaders and may instigate demands for reform within the political landscape of Búzios and beyond.