The Federal Police in Brazil temporarily arrested Marcelo Caumo, the former mayor of Lajeado, as part of the ongoing operation Lamaçal, which investigates alleged misappropriations of federal funds intended for the reconstruction of the city after a severe flood in 2024. The arrest was made on October 26 and is initially valid for five days, though it can be extended. Caumo previously denied any wrongdoing during the first phase of the operation in 2025 when he was serving as the state secretary for Urban Development and Mobility.

During this second phase of the operation, authorities have also detained an unnamed businesswoman as part of the investigation into the misuse of public resources. The operation's first phase was launched on November 11 and became a prominent point of scrutiny when Caumo resigned from his secretary position two days later amid the growing investigation. The focus lies on alleged irregularities related to the federal assistance allocated through the National Aid Fund aimed at rebuilding Lajeado after the environmental disaster.

This case sheds light on larger issues of accountability and governance in Brazilian politics, particularly in the wake of natural disasters where rapid funding and reconstruction efforts often attract corruption. More broadly, the incident raises questions about the measures in place to prevent abuse of public funds, especially in times of crisis, and highlights the importance of transparency and legal accountability in government programs.