Brazilian Mayors Removed Over Nepotism and Environmental Misconduct

The municipal government of Armação dos Búzios announced compliance with a court order that placed environment and urban planning secretary Roseli de Almeida Pereira under precautionary suspension. The decision followed criminal complaints filed by the Rio de Janeiro State Public Ministry alleging delays and omissions in providing documents related to interventions at Ponta do Pai Vitório and the use of material from the former Baía Formosa landfill. The city pledged full cooperation with the ministry and other oversight bodies, offering all requested documentation.

In the Pará municipality of Porto de Moz, a judge ordered the 90‑day precautionary removal of mayor Rivaldo Salviano Campos (MDB) after the State Public Ministry filed an improbity case accusing the administration of extensive nepotism. Investigations revealed that roughly 70% of municipal staff occupied positions without proper public competition, many held by relatives of the mayor, vice‑mayor and councilors. The court noted the mayor’s failure to act on prior recommendations and the risk to the investigation, leading to his suspension.