Brazil court upholds ineligibility for former Rio governor until 2030

Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE) has definitively ruled against former Rio de Janeiro governor Cláudio Castro, maintaining his ineligibility until 2030. The court rejected appeals filed by Castro, who sought to overturn a previous decision that found him guilty of abusing political and economic power. The case stems from a scheme involving secret hirings at state institutions like Ceperj and Uerj, where thousands were allegedly hired without transparency. Investigations revealed that these secret hires collectively withdrew at least R$ 248.4 million in cash between September 2021 and July 2022. The TSE's decision was made with a 5-2 vote, with the rapporteur, Ricardo Villas Bôas Cueva, leading the majority in rejecting Castro's appeals. Appeals from Rodrigo Bacellar, former president of the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj), were also denied. The court's decision means Castro will remain barred from running for office for the remainder of the decade. The TSE also addressed a request from the Public Prosecutor's Office to annul Castro's diploma, but the rapporteur deemed the matter moot, as Castro had resigned his mandate before the judgment. However, two ministers dissented, arguing the diploma annulment should proceed, highlighting a division within the court on the extent of the consequences. This ruling now shifts the focus to the Supreme Federal Court (STF), which will determine whether Rio de Janeiro will hold direct or indirect elections to fill the gubernatorial vacancy.

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The TSE rejected the appeals presented by former Rio de Janeiro governor Cláudio Castro and maintained his ineligibility until 2030.