Brazilian councilor Vini Oliveira ethics probe drops request for media footage

The Ethics Commission investigating allegations against Campinas councilor Vini Oliveira (Cidadania) voted unanimously to withdraw a request for video material from media outlets TH+ Record and Correio Popular. The decision follows a legal opinion from the Chamber's Prosecutor's Office, though details were not disclosed.

The investigation stems from footage showing Oliveira meeting at the headquarters of Smile, a company that won the northern lot of the public‑transport contract for Campinas. In the video, the councilor leaves the site carrying a black box containing envelopes. The meeting occurred during the bidding phase and shortly before the contract was signed. Representative councilor Mariana Conti (PSOL) demanded clarification of the envelopes' contents and any possible favoritism. Oliveira denies wrongdoing, claiming the box held documents and media with transport‑related complaints later submitted to the Public Prosecutor's Office. The case is also under review by the GAECOP and the Civil Police, with searches conducted in June at Oliveira's office, home, and related company locations. The commission set a deadline for Oliveira to name a new technical assistant before the expert witness Ricardo Molina departs the country on 28 August. Testimonies are scheduled for 3–4 August in the Sylvia Paschoal Chamber.