Brazilian courts dismiss defamation suit and uphold corruption conviction

A judge of the 3rd Civil Court in Brasília rejected a defamation action brought by Senator Veneziano Vital do Rêgo (MDB) against Senator Daniella Ribeiro (PP). The judge ruled that Ribeiro's statements made during an early‑year interview were part of political debate and therefore protected by freedom of expression and parliamentary immunity, ending the claim with no damages awarded. She was quoted as saying the remarks were “manifestação inserida no debate público, o que, em tese, atrai proteção constitucional da liberdade de expressão e imunidade parlamentar material”.

The Superior Court of Justice (STJ) denied an appeal by former Mato Grosso state deputy and ex‑mayor Luciane Bezerra, maintaining her conviction for administrative misconduct linked to a 2017 procurement contract awarded to a company owned by the brother of the municipal chief of staff. The court affirmed that the irregular hiring was deliberate, upholding the civil fine and confirming the finding of specific intent. Minister Gurgel de Faria emphasized that “não há como confundir o resultado desfavorável ao litigante com a falta de fundamentação”.