Flávio Dino Appointee to Head Maranhão Court of Accounts After Minister's Suspension

The Maranhão Court of Accounts (TCE-MA) has appointed councilor Marcelo Tavares da Silva as its new president, replacing Daniel Brandão, who has been suspended for six months. The suspension was ordered by Minister Flávio Dino of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), who is also investigating Brandão for alleged involvement in a murder and a scheme to embezzle public funds.

Tavares, previously the vice-president of the TCE-MA, served as the head of the Civil Affairs office under Flávio Dino from 2015 to 2018 and was appointed to his current position by Dino. Daniel Brandão, the nephew of current Governor Carlos Brandão, is suspected of leading a criminal organization, a case being investigated by the Federal Police. Brandão has not yet issued a statement regarding the accusations.

This development marks the third vacant seat at the TCE-MA resulting from Minister Dino's orders. The minister is currently overseeing sensitive legal processes involving Governor Carlos Brandão, who accuses Dino of using the judiciary for political persecution. Brandão and Dino were formerly political allies, with Dino serving as governor for two terms while Brandão was his vice governor.

Governor Brandão's allies contend that Dino's decisions constitute direct political interference aimed at benefiting his former political group. They argue that the procedures for selecting councilors are consistent with those Dino himself employed when he was governor. The vacant seats stem from various circumstances, including the early retirement of councilor Washington Oliveira and the retirement of councilor Álvaro César de França Ferreira, both of which saw Dino suspend the appointment processes amid legal challenges and investigations into alleged "vote-buying schemes."