Novo Hamburgo CPI probes alleged double salary of Finance Secretary

A parliamentary inquiry (CPI) in Novo Hamburgo continues its investigation into alleged double‑salary payments to Finance Secretary Michele Vargas Antonello. The session on Thursday will hear testimony from former Municipal Management Secretary Andrea Schneider Pascoal, who resigned in November 2025 citing misalignment with the city administration, and Bruna Vizzotto Barcellos, superintendent of the Santa Maria Management People Secretariat.

The committee, chaired by councilor Ricardo Ritter (MDB), has been examining inconsistencies flagged in December 2025 by the municipality’s Human Development Directorate. Director Daniela Campos Maures reported that the contract for Vargas Antonello contained irregularities related to reimbursements owed to Santa Maria, which were allegedly recorded as a financial burden on Novo Hamburgo. After no response from the former secretary or the city’s former Attorney General Vanir de Mattos, a formal memorandum was sent to the General Prosecutor’s Office in January 2026. The CPI, which began on 30 June, must complete its report within 120 days.