Mayor Cláudio Ferreti loses mandate in Angra dos Reis over abuse of power

A Rio de Janeiro judge, Carlos Manuel Barros do Souto, ordered the cassação of Angra dos Reis mayor Cláudio Ferreti (MDB) and his vice‑mayor Rubinho Metalúrgico (MDB) for political‑power abuse. Both officials remain in office while they appeal the decision.

The ruling also declared former mayor Fernando Jordão and journalist Gabriela Athias ineligible for eight years, citing their role in a coordinated smear campaign against candidate Renato Araújo. Investigators found that the municipal government, through the communications firm Somma Serviços de Comunicação, financed the production of defamatory videos and mass WhatsApp messages, paying former employees at least R$9,000 each. The court ordered the case files to be sent to the Federal Public Ministry for further investigation.