Brazil's Minister Marco Buzzi stripped of post after sexual misconduct conviction
On Thursday, the plenary of Brazil's Superior Tribunal de Justiça (STJ) voted unanimously, with 28 ministers in favour, to place Minister Marco Buzzi at disposal of his office and impose the penalty of availability with loss of the post for sexual crimes. Four ministers voted for compulsory retirement, a less severe sanction. The decision marks the first time a Brazilian magistrate has been punished with loss of office after the Conselho Nacional de Justiça (CNJ) introduced the new maximum penalty, replacing compulsory retirement.
Buzzi had been provisionally suspended since 10 February 2024. The accusations stem from two women: an 18‑year‑old who said the minister approached her during a beach bath at a family‑friend's house, and a female staff member who alleged sexual harassment inside his office. The Prosecutor General’s Office changed its position and supported the loss‑of‑post sanction. To finalize the removal and stop his salary, the Advocacia‑Geral da União (AGU) must file a new action. Buzzi’s defence retains the right to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Federal Court (STF).
Entities
Advocacia‑Geral da União · Advocacia‑Geral da União (AGU) · Conselho Nacional de Justiça · Conselho Nacional de Justiça (CNJ) · Marco Buzzi · Procuradoria‑Geral da República · Superior Tribunal de Justiça · Superior Tribunal de Justiça (STJ) · Supreme Federal Court (STF)
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [DISPUTED] Four STJ ministers voted for compulsory retirement instead of loss of post. paranaempresarial.com.br · sitedaserra.com.br · vanguardadonorte.com.br · www.capitalnews.com.br · contraponto.jor.br · +1 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The Advocacia‑Geral da União (AGU) must file a new action to formally remove Buzzi and stop his salary. paranaempresarial.com.br · sitedaserra.com.br · vanguardadonorte.com.br · www.capitalnews.com.br · contraponto.jor.br · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The penalty of availability with loss of office is unprecedented for a Brazilian magistrate. paranaempresarial.com.br · sitedaserra.com.br · vanguardadonorte.com.br · www.capitalnews.com.br · contraponto.jor.br · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Buzzi may appeal the STJ decision to the Supreme Federal Court (STF). paranaempresarial.com.br · sitedaserra.com.br · vanguardadonorte.com.br · www.capitalnews.com.br · contraponto.jor.br · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The Conselho Nacional de Justiça (CNJ) recently regulated loss of post as the new maximum penalty, replacing compulsory retirement. paranaempresarial.com.br · sitedaserra.com.br · vanguardadonorte.com.br · www.capitalnews.com.br · contraponto.jor.br · +3 more
- [DISPUTED] The STJ plenary voted unanimously (28 votes) to place Minister Marco Buzzi at disposal of his office and impose loss of the post. paranaempresarial.com.br · sitedaserra.com.br · vanguardadonorte.com.br · www.cnnbrasil.com.br · www.capitalnews.com.br · +4 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Marco Buzzi had been provisionally suspended since 10 February 2024. paranaempresarial.com.br · sitedaserra.com.br · vanguardadonorte.com.br · www.capitalnews.com.br · contraponto.jor.br · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Two women accused Buzzi: an 18‑year‑old who said he approached her during a beach bath, and a female staffer who alleged sexual harassment in his office. paranaempresarial.com.br · sitedaserra.com.br · vanguardadonorte.com.br · www.capitalnews.com.br · contraponto.jor.br · +3 more