Bahia Court Warns Itanagra Mayor Over Misused Public Funds for Motel Vehicle

The Tribunal de Contas dos Municípios da Bahia (TCM‑BA) partially upheld a complaint against the municipality of Itanagra, finding that municipal resources were used to fuel a private car owned by EU E VOCE MOTEL LTDA ME. Between July 2021 and December 2022 the vehicle consumed 7,421 litres of gasoline, costing R$ 49,610.01, which were paid with public funds.

The court rejected the municipality’s claim that the vehicle was subcontracted through AOG Dias Transporte e Locação Ltda., noting that Contract 164/2022 explicitly prohibited sub‑contracting and mandated termination if obligations were transferred. As a result, TCM‑BA issued a formal warning to Mayor Marcus Gustavo de Souza Sarmento. The ruling did not order restitution of the funds nor refer the case to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and it did not examine alleged receipt of federal emergency aid by the vehicle’s owner.