Anthony Garotinho faces eight-year suspension of political rights

A court in Rio de Janeiro has ordered the enforcement of a sentence suspending the political rights of former governor Anthony Garotinho for eight years. This ruling threatens his potential 2026 candidacy for state governor.

The decision follows a conviction involving a criminal scheme that diverted approximately R$ 234.4 million from the State Health Secretariat between 2005 and 2006. The Rio de Janeiro Public Ministry demonstrated that all appeals to higher courts had been exhausted.

Financial penalties have been significantly updated: the reimbursement to the state treasury is now approximately R$ 2.55 billion, the civil fine is roughly R$ 778,000, and the compensation for collective moral damages has reached approximately R$ 11.9 million. The court has notified the Regional Electoral Court (TRE) and the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) regarding the finality of the conviction.