Administrative misconduct investigations in Maranhão

In Maranhão, Brazil, legal and administrative actions have been initiated against public officials regarding financial and bidding irregularities.

The National Council of Justice (CNJ) unanimously proposed the removal of Maranhão State Court judge Antônio Pacheco Guerreiro Júnior following an investigation into the construction of the Imperatriz Forum. The project, which began in 2013, was halted in 2016 after R$ 75 million was spent, with completion estimated to require an additional R$ 180 million. The case is being forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General of the Union to begin judicial proceedings.

Separately, the Public Ministry of Maranhão (MP-MA) is pursuing the precautionary removal of Centro Novo do Maranhão Mayor Joedson Almeida dos Santos, known as Júnior Garimpeiro. The action concerns an R$ 18 million electronic bidding process for road recovery services, which reportedly exceeds the Municipal Secretariat of Works’ annual budget by more than 600%. Concerns include lack of transparency, insufficient road segment delimitation, and potential restrictions on competition.

Following a lower court's initial denial of the removal request—which cited a lack of evidence that the mayor would interfere with investigations—the MP-MA has filed an appeal with the Maranhão Court of Justice (TJMA). The Ministry argues that removal is necessary to “preserve the integrity of the judicial process.” The TJMA has redistributed the appeal to a Public Law Chamber for analysis; the mayor remains in office pending a decision.