# Barra Velha corruption case sentencing

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/barra-velha-corruption-case-sentencing
> Updated: 2026-09-28T10:53:47.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2.

The 4th Criminal Chamber of the Court of Justice of Santa Catarina (TJSC) has issued sentences in ‘Operação Travessia’, a corruption case involving the construction of a bridge over the Itajuba River. 

Eight individuals, including former Barra Velha mayor Douglas Elias da Costa, were found guilty of crimes including criminal organization, bidding fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering. The Public Ministry of Santa Catarina (MPSC) identified Costa as the leader of the criminal group, noting he used his position to appoint officials to the scheme. 

Costa was sentenced to 30 years, five months, and 25 days in prison. The court also ordered the defendants to pay R$ 2.36 million in reparations for material and collective moral damages, and mandated the loss of public functions and a prohibition from holding public office for eight years following the final judgment.

## Claims

- A 21-year-old man was arrested in Araranguá on suspicion of raping a vulnerable person. (single source)
- Police are investigating the death of a man found with stab wounds in Criciúma as a homicide. (single source)
- A 39-year-old man was arrested in Araranguá after attempting to attack a police officer with a knife during a theft investigation. (single source)
- A 14-year-old girl was rescued from unlawful confinement in Campos Novos after being taken by a 60-year-old man. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-28: Brazil reports multiple major criminal convictions and investigations

Multiple criminal convictions and investigations are underway in Brazil, including a 53-year sentence for child murder in Santa Catarina and a 47-year sentence for feminicide in Pernambuco.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/iara-man-killed-in-mass-brawl-three-suspects-detained

### 2026-09-26: Barra Velha former mayor sentenced to 30 years in corruption case

The former mayor of Barra Velha and seven others were sentenced in Santa Catarina for corruption and fraud related to a bridge construction project, involving prison terms and millions in reparations.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/barra-velha-former-mayor-sentenced-to-30-years-in-corruption-case

---
Cite as: Barra Velha corruption case sentencing. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/barra-velha-corruption-case-sentencing