Brazil: Fraud fine in Espírito Santo and toll fine annulments in Rio Grande do Sul

In Espírito Santo, Link Card Administradora de Benefícios Ltda. has been fined R$ 1.3 million following an investigation into fraud involving the state government's official vehicle fleet. An administrative process revealed that the company charged gas stations fees between 4.5% and 7% on operations, leading establishments to increase fuel prices to compensate. The company, which managed the fleet system via a 2017 contract, maintains that the decision is not final and is subject to appeal.

In Rio Grande do Sul, the Autonomous Department of Roads (Daer) has annulled 715,000 fines issued through the free flow toll system. This follows an agreement between Daer, the Public Defender's Office, the State Public Ministry, and the State Attorney General's Office to address improper fines caused by lack of consumer information. The state is developing a system to reimburse drivers who already paid the R$ 195 fines, with returns expected to begin in November. While fines are being canceled, drivers must still regularize pending toll tariffs with the concessionaire Caminhos da Serra Gaúcha (CSG).