Councilman Lucieldo da Silva indicted for sexual harassment

Lucieldo da Silva, a city councilman for the PSDB party in Currais Novos, Rio Grande do Norte, has been indicted by the Civil Police for sexual harassment. The indictment follows an investigation into an incident on June 30, where security camera footage allegedly showed the councilman touching and slapping an intern on her buttocks within the municipal legislative building.

Police stated that the footage provided “clear and incontestable” evidence of non-consensual physical contact. The investigation included testimonies from the victim and witnesses. The case has been forwarded to the State Public Ministry, which will determine whether to formally charge the councilman in court.

During a recent session, da Silva issued a public apology, claiming the act was “involuntary” and lacked any intent to disrespect the intern. He argued that the video was a “cut of a situation taken out of a larger context” being used for political purposes. Despite his defense, the Currais Novos City Council voted 11-0 to accept the formal complaint against him, establishing a Special Commission to oversee the process regarding the potential revocation of his mandate.