Santa Catarina faces exam fraud probe, fake‑lawyer scam and governor’s indigenous insult

The Public Ministry of Santa Catarina launched the third phase of Operation Electus, targeting an alleged scheme that manipulated public‑service exams in the state’s western municipalities. Seventeen municipal employees were suspended, eight candidates barred from appointment and eighteen search warrants executed.

In a separate criminal case, a woman who pretended to be a lawyer and judicial aide was sentenced by the state court to repay R$ 86,904.29 to a 62‑year‑old victim, perform community service and pay a fine of ten minimum wages after defrauding the elderly woman of more than R$ 86 thousand.

Governor Jorginho Mello was reported to the Prosecutor‑General’s Office after he verbally assaulted members of the Xokleng indigenous community during a visit to the Barragem Norte project, using profanity directed at a cacica. The National Human Rights Council called for an investigation, citing potential collective discrimination.

The state’s Civil Police concluded an investigation into a 2021 sexual‑assault incident in Mafra, identifying two teenage boys as perpetrators of an act analogous to rape of a minor. The case has been forwarded to the Public Ministry and the judiciary.

Finally, prosecutors charged a man and a woman with latrocínio after they robbed and killed a 65‑year‑old resident in Caçador, allegedly exploiting the victim’s hospitality before violently assaulting him and stealing cash.