Cachoeirinha Education Secretary suspended over alleged fake diploma

Ildo Junior da Silva Dias, the Municipal Secretary of Education for Cachoeirinha, has been suspended from his position for 180 days following a judicial order. The suspension is part of an investigation into the suspected use of a falsified high school diploma.

An operation conducted by the Integrated Force to Combat Organized Crime (Ficco/RS)—a task force including the Federal Police, Civil Police, Military Brigade, Federal Highway Police, and Federal Penal Police—executed search and seizure warrants at the secretary's residence, the municipal town hall, and the Municipal Education Secretariat.

In response, the secretary's legal defense has challenged the severity of the precautionary measures, arguing that the restrictions are disproportionate and should be reevaluated based on the principles of reasonableness and the presumption of innocence. The defense noted that the investigation is in a preliminary stage and no definitive judicial ruling regarding criminal responsibility has been made.

The municipal administration of Cachoeirinha stated it respects the judicial decisions and will request access to the investigation files. The administration noted that the documents originally submitted for the position had undergone verification procedures by the Municipal Administration Secretariat at the time of appointment.