Barra Velha former mayor sentenced to 30 years in corruption case

The 4th Criminal Chamber of the Court of Justice of Santa Catarina (TJSC) has sentenced eight individuals involved in ‘Operação Travessia’ for crimes related to the construction of a bridge over the Itajuba River. The group, which included the former mayor of Barra Velha, Douglas Elias da Costa, two former municipal secretaries, a former director of Patrimony, a municipal civil engineer, and three businesspeople, was found guilty of criminal organization, bidding fraud, irregular administrative contract modifications, embezzlement, and money laundering.

Douglas Elias da Costa was sentenced to 30 years, five months, and 25 days in prison. The court also ordered the loss of public functions and a prohibition from holding public office for eight years following the final judgment. Additionally, the court maintained the unavailability of real estate assets belonging to the former mayor and ordered the eight defendants to pay R$ 2.36 million in reparations, consisting of R$ 1.86 million for material damages and R$ 500,000 for collective moral damages.

According to the Public Ministry of Santa Catarina (MPSC), the former mayor acted as the leader of the criminal group, utilizing his hierarchical position to appoint commissioned officials who participated in the scheme.