Maranhão Governor accused of negotiating TCE-MA seats to avoid legal consequences

Maranhão Governor Carlos Brandão is reportedly attempting to negotiate vacancies within the State Court of Accounts (TCE-MA) to secure legal protections for himself and his family. The negotiations involve Iracema Vale, president of the Maranhão Legislative Assembly, and opposition leader Othelino Neto, who is allegedly a preferred candidate of Supreme Court Minister Flávio Dino.

Appointments to the TCE-MA have been stalled since 2024 due to decisions by Minister Dino. The current push to fill these vacancies comes amid a Federal Police investigation into suspected corruption and other crimes involving the Governor and his relatives. Minister Dino is currently the rapporteur for procedures related to these investigations.

In August, Dino ordered the precautionary removal of Daniel Brandão, the Governor’s nephew, from the presidency of the TCE-MA. The political maneuvering is viewed as an attempt to influence the tribunal's composition amidst these ongoing legal challenges.