The Superior Electoral Court (TSE) upheld the ineligibility of former governor Cláudio Castro (PL) until 2030 for abuse of political and economic power in the 2022 elections. Appeals filed by the former governor's defense against a previous TSE decision that convicted him for allegations in the Ceperj case were rejected. The judgment was held on Tuesday night (2).
The rapporteur Ricardo Villas Bôas Cueva's vote rejecting the appeals was unanimously approved. The only point of contention was the removal from office of Cláudio Castro and former vice-governor Thiago Pampolha (MDB). This argument was defended in a dissenting vote by Minister Floriano de Azevedo Marques Neto, which was followed by Minister Estela Aranha. He argued that Cláudio Castro should also be considered removed from office, despite having resigned days before his conviction by the TSE (Superior Electoral Court).
The minister also advocated for the removal from office of former vice-governor Thiago Pampolha (MDB), who resigned from his position in 2025 to assume a seat as a member of the State Court of Auditors (TCE). His proposal, however, was defeated by a vote of five to two.
The ministers André Mendonça, Antonio Carlos Ferreira, Dias Tofolli, Kassio Nunes Marques, and the rapporteur Ricardo Villas Bôas Cueva voted against the dissenting opinion.
Castro's conviction was decided by a 5-2 majority in March of this year. The court concluded that there was abuse of political and economic power through the use of the Ceperj Foundation and structures of the State University of Rio de Janeiro (Uerj) to favor the 2022 election campaign.
According to the lawsuit, thousands of contracts lacking transparency were allegedly used to politically benefit the group linked to the then-governor.
The defense requested the annulment of the trial.
Cláudio Castro's defense argued that the trial had procedural flaws and requested that the decision be annulled.
The lawyers argued that there is no clear evidence of the former governor's direct involvement in, or agreement with, the irregularities pointed out in the case.
The appeals also questioned aspects of the procedure adopted during the trial and requested a new analysis of the case with full guarantees of the right to a fair hearing and a broad defense.
Supreme Court awaits decision to resume trial.
The conclusion of the trial at the TSE (Superior Electoral Court) is considered fundamental for the progress of two lawsuits pending before the Supreme Federal Court (STF) involving control of the government of Rio de Janeiro.
The Brazilian Supreme Court (STF) is debating whether the next governor of Rio de Janeiro should be chosen through direct or indirect election. The trial has been suspended since April following a request for review by Justice Flávio Dino.
Until the analysis was interrupted, ministers Luiz Fux, André Mendonça, Nunes Marques, and Cármen Lúcia had voted in favor of holding an indirect election in the Alerj (Rio de Janeiro State Legislative Assembly), with the new governor being chosen by the state deputies. Minister Cristiano Zanin, however, defended holding a direct election.
The expectation is that, with the TSE's decision, the Supreme Court will resume the discussion and provide a definitive solution to the succession crisis in the state.
The position of governor has been held on an interim basis by Judge Ricardo Couto, president of the Court of Justice of Rio de Janeiro (TJ-RJ).
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