João da Luz, who previously served as the Secretary of Urban Cleaning and Maintenance in Florianópolis, has been named a commissioned executive at Celesc, a state energy company. This appointment comes despite ongoing investigations by the Ministério Público de Santa Catarina (MP-SC) into his alleged involvement in a corruption scheme favoring a cartel within the funeral services sector. His compensation for the technical advisor role is reported to be R$ 22,000 per month, and he began this role on January 5, 2023. Luz's defense team maintains that he has committed no wrongdoing.

The investigation into João da Luz is part of a broader effort by the MP-SC, which initiated the Mercadores da Morte operation in 2022 to address corruption and cartel activities in the funeral service industry across Santa Catarina. The allegations suggest that he received luxury gifts and travel from businesses while holding his previous governmental position, raising serious ethical concerns about his conduct in office. He was appointed by Mayor Topázio Neto, and continues to occupy this position despite the ongoing legal scrutiny surrounding his actions.

Critics argue that this appointment undermines public trust in governmental institutions, especially given the nature of the allegations against Luz. As investigations into the cartel system continue, the public and authorities seek accountability and transparency in the handling of such cases, which place significant burdens on social fairness and government integrity. This decision may prompt further questions regarding the government's commitment to combatting corruption and prioritizing ethical governance in service of the citizens of Santa Catarina.