Brazil Supreme Court Upholds Ex‑Mayor Ary Vanazzi Conviction and Invalidates Prescription Cut in Improbidity Law

The Brazilian Supreme Court (STF) rejected a challenge and kept the conviction of former São Leopoldo mayor Ary Vanazzi for an administrative misconduct case involving a R$ 15,000 radio contract. The ruling renders Vanazzi ineligible to run for federal deputy, and his legal team announced it will file further appeals.

In a separate decision, the STF declared unconstitutional the amendment to the Administrative Improbity Law that reduced the prescription period from eight to four years. The majority, led by Minister Alexandre de Moraes, argued that halving the deadline would cause most cases to expire before trial. The Court also confirmed that only intentional (doloso) acts constitute improbidity, excluding culpable conduct.

Both rulings modify the legal landscape for public officials in Brazil, affecting existing convictions and future prosecutions under the improbity framework.