Rio de Janeiro interim Governor Ricardo Couto exposes online course fraud and details salary

Interim governor and judge Ricardo Couto said audits uncovered fraud and overpricing in a state‑run online training programme for residents of poor communities. He cited contracts awarded without bidding, a payment of R$50 million for 40 classes with no recorded material, and registrations of students who were already deceased. The findings will be forwarded to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Couto also revealed that he received R$84 000 net in May, combining his remuneration as interim governor and as president of the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice. He noted this amount exceeds the gross salary of President Luiz Inácio Lula and argued that higher pay is needed to attract qualified officials, while defending his constitutional legitimacy as interim governor.