Brazil court bars ex-governor Garotinho from public funds, free airtime

The Regional Electoral Court of Rio de Janeiro (TRE-RJ) has unanimously decided to prohibit former governor Anthony Garotinho from accessing public resources in the 2026 elections. This includes funds from the Party Fund and the Special Campaign Financing Fund (FEFC). The court's decision also bars the gubernatorial candidate from utilizing free electoral airtime.

This ruling is a consequence of Garotinho's conviction for administrative misconduct, which has suspended his political rights until 2033. Despite these restrictions, he currently retains the right to participate in campaign activities funded by private resources and will appear on the ballot.

Garotinho's defense team issued a statement expressing serenity and institutional respect for the decision, while also indicating disagreement with its legal basis. "The Defense will urgently adopt all appropriate procedural measures to reverse the decision and ensure that the still-candidate, Anthony Garotinho, retains the right to exercise all campaign activities," stated his lawyer, Admar Gonzaga.

The conviction relates to an administrative misconduct lawsuit concerning the "Saúde em Movimento" (Health in Motion) program. The Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice found that the program caused R$ 234.4 million in damages to public coffers due to irregular contracting of a foundation. The Superior Electoral Court (TSE) certified the finality of the conviction on July 11, 2025.

This TRE-RJ decision mirrors a recent ruling by the TSE concerning Pablo Marçal. On August 20, the TSE unanimously blocked Marçal's access to party and campaign funds and prohibited his use of free electoral airtime. The TRE-RJ's ruling also mandates the return of any public funds already transferred to Garotinho's campaign but not yet used, imposes a 10% fine on any future public funds transferred to him, and requires immediate notification to the TSE to block further transfers.

“

The Defense will urgently adopt all appropriate procedural measures to reverse the decision and ensure that the still-candidate, Anthony Garotinho, retains the right to exercise all campaign activities.