Brazil Supreme Court suspends extra payments for judges in six states

Supreme Federal Court (STF) Minister Alexandre de Moraes has suspended the payment of extra benefits, known as ‘penduricalhos’, to courts in six Brazilian states and the Federal District. The decision follows findings of irregular payments that exceed constitutional limits, including preschool assistance, compensatory leave, and adoption allowances.

The suspension affects the courts of Goiás, Maranhão, Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rondônia, and the Federal District. Moraes has ordered these courts to identify the recipients, arrange for the return of the funds, and provide proof of compliance within five days. Additionally, the Attorney General's Office (AGU) has 72 hours to report members who received unauthorized amounts.

The financial impact on individual magistrates has been significant. In Maranhão, one retired judge was authorized to receive over 3.2 million reais, while a judge in Maranhão, Mário Márcio de Almeida Sousa, reported his monthly net income dropping from 88,500 reais to 41,600 reais. Sousa expressed deep distress over the loss, stating he is considering voluntary resignation due to the financial strain.