Bahia mayors and officials face investigations over contract and fleet irregularities

The Tribunal de Contas dos Municípios da Bahia (TCM‑BA) has notified the current mayor of Ibicuí, Salomão Cerqueira, and former mayor Marcos Galvão over alleged irregularities in contracts totaling roughly R$4.5 million. The contracts with Julio Herminio Luz Ltda cover services such as security, catering, cleaning and advertising, but the investigation cites lack of technical capacity, missing licenses, use of Pix payments without proper controls, possible overpricing and procurement steering. The council rejected an immediate suspension of the contracts but required the officials and the company to submit defenses and full documentation.

Separately, the Ministério Público da Bahia opened a civil inquiry into the administration of Ichu mayor Gonzaga Carneiro. The probe examines possible irregularities in the municipal fleet’s fuel supply, including use of incompatible fuel, atypical consumption and alleged diversion of public funds. The MP is also reviewing accusations of nepotism involving the appointment of relatives to commissioned positions. Both investigations are in early stages and do not yet constitute formal findings of wrongdoing.