Arrested on charges of rape, Liberal Party advisor Cassio Luiz Barbosa (Featured imageJudge Ana Claudia Madeira de Oliveira, of the First Criminal Court in Piracicaba, in the interior of São Paulo, said the man, known as Cassio Valla Beira, targeted women in economically and socially vulnerable situations to sexually assault them.
This statement is part of the decision that ordered the temporary detention of the parliamentarian, who has been detained since October 9 after at least six victims formally accused him. In recent days, the prison has been converted into a preventive prison.
In addition to accusations of rape and molestation, he also became the target of a police investigation into his possession of child sexual abuse images. The material was found on a Casio cell phone.
According to the defense, the content was present on the device because he received the images as a complaint against a third person. Lawyer Jose Osmer Bertazzoni claims that the advisor is innocent of all charges.
Reports of rape and sexual harassment
At least six women filed police reports accusing Cassio of rape and criminal harassment. According to the reports, which were officially certified by the Civil Police and sent to the São Paulo Public Ministry (MPSP), the crimes allegedly occurred between 2018 and 2015.
Quite detailed reports show a series of similarities between the methods practiced by Cassio. As MPSP noted, the counselor took advantage of his position as a community leader and the vulnerable position of the victims to commit crimes.
According to the investigation, the targets faced problems such as unemployment and health problems and worked to help residents during disasters such as fires. Cassio had a habit of approaching victims during times of social and financial difficulties and making sexual comments.
“People just ask for things, but no one gives anything in return. What do I gain if I help you?” the parliamentarian told one of the women who was attacked.
In some cases, insinuations culminated in sexual violence, such as forced sex.
One victim, after being forced to masturbate a councillor, heard him say “It’s not wrong, you’ll get paid for this”, then “I’ll find you a job”. He also said: “There is no point in reporting this, because it will be your word against mine,” according to the report.
Read also
-
Sao Paulo
A council member arrested for rape is being investigated over child abuse images
-
Sao Paulo
The arrest of the PL council member accused of rape is being converted into preventive detention
-
Sao Paulo
‘You bitch, I’ll end up killing you’: Girlfriend accuses PL councilor of threatening
-
Brazil
The PL council member arrested in Rio offered logistical support to the TCP faction
A DDM delegate from Piracicaba, which is investigating the alleged new allegations, did not provide further clarification on the case for the report.
The defense claims innocence
Lawyer Jose Osmer Bertazzoni, who represents Cassio, told… Capitals That images of child sexual abuse were sent to the counselor “in the form of a complaint against another person.” The parliamentarian reportedly went to the city council and reported the incident, saying he would file a complaint, which culminated in a cell phone search and seizure.
According to the defender, the misunderstanding was clarified during police investigations, which were conducted in secret. Bertazzoni explained that the clarification did not have any “judicial consequences.” Therefore, the defense was surprised by “the use of this episode against the advisor on this occasion.”
It highlights that Cassio had nothing to do with the materials found. “Mr. Cassio is innocent and is being persecuted for political reasons. In the end, his innocence will be proven,” he said.
He filed a lawsuit against a consultant after his salary was suspended
Cassio Valla-Bera was removed from his position on the city council two days after his arrest. The impeachment process, which has an indefinite period, culminated in the suspension of the payment of the parliamentarian’s salary – a decision taken by the President of the Legislative Council, Councilor Relison Rezende (PSDB), and not by the court.
Therefore, Cassio filed a lawsuit with the Court of Justice of São Paulo demanding the return of his salary as a Member of Parliament, and even the retroactive payment of all amounts not credited since the suspension, with monetary correction. The MPSP preferred not to comment on the advisor’s request, citing “lack of public interest.”
In a decision issued last Friday (11/28), Judge Wander Pereira Rosset Jr., of the First Public Fiscal Court of Piracicaba, did not respond to the request for an injunction to reinstate the immediate chancellor, but decided to postpone the analysis of the injunction request.
Cassio must then wait for the judge’s analysis while temporarily remaining in prison.