Florianópolis officials ordered to repay R$224,600 over inflated contract

The Court of Accounts of Santa Catarina (TCE/SC) found irregularities in a 2022‑2023 municipal contract for renting three quadricycles and trailers in Florianópolis. The estimated market price for the equipment was about R$53,000, yet the city signed a contract for R$339,999, resulting in an overpayment of R$224,599.62.

The court held municipal officials – former deputy secretary of Infrastructure Marco Antônio Medeiros Júnior, civil works manager Erick Roberto de Jesus Martins, former infrastructure secretary Valter José Gallina – and the sole bidder, Auto Viação Santa Catarina Ltda., jointly liable. They must return the inflated amount to the municipal treasury within 30 days, with interest and monetary correction.

The investigation noted that the reference price used in the bidding included items such as operators, fuel and training, which were not part of the final contract, inflating the price reference and enabling the overpayment.