In a new decision this Wednesday (17/12), the Regional Electoral Court of São Paulo (TRE-SP) revoked the mandate of the mayor of Barueri, in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, José Roberto Piteri (Republicans), and of his vice-mayor, Cláudia Aparecida Afonso Marques (PSB), for improper use of the media.
The court also ruled on the ineligibility of Piteri and the former mayor of the municipality, Rubens Furlan. The sentence is valid for eight years, starting after the 2024 elections.
Legal battle
A battle over the politicians’ position was fought in the courts. On April 8, the TRE-SP reversed a first instance decision favorable to municipal leaders and revoked their mandates.
A few weeks later, the court ordered the immediate dismissal of the two men from Barueri town hall.
On August 5, the Court considered the case in a motion for clarification and rejected the revocation of the warrants. This Wednesday’s decision reverses that earlier determination and revokes the positions again. There is one more call.
Misuse of media
The action that resulted in the revocation of the mandates was filed by the Aqui Tem Barueri coalition (União Brasil, PP, PL, PRD, PRTB, Mobiliza, Agir, PSD, Avante and PDT) and the Municipal Directory of União Brasil de Barueri. The organizations denounce abuse of economic power and misuse of the media by Piteri and Cláudia Marques.
According to the Court, the abuse was characterized by the broadcast of videos promoted on the profile of Rubens Furlan, former mayor of Barueri, on the social network Instagram.
On the one hand, Furlan made public the electoral campaign of his political godchildren, Roberto Piteri and Dr. Claudia, as successors to his mandate. On the other hand, he denigrated his political opponent, also a candidate for mayor, Gil Arantes (União Brasil).
In the second instance, Judge Regis de Castilho Barbosa Filho, rapporteur of the case, rejected the allegation of abuse of economic power. The judge considered, at the time, that the sum invested in the distribution of the videos could not be considered exorbitant and disproportionate, essential characteristics to constitute an illegal act.
THE Metropolises requested the defense of those involved, but received no response until the publication of this report. The space remains open.
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