Accused of rape and investigated for possession of images of child sexual abuse, councilor Cássio Luiz Barbosa, known as Cássio Fala Pira (PL), could lose his mandate following action by the São Paulo Public Ministry (MPSP). The politician from Piracicaba, in the interior of the state, has been in prison since October after women denounced him for sexual crimes.
In the administrative improbability action, filed on December 9 and published by prosecutor Luciano Gomes de Queiroz Coutinho, this Monday (12/15), the MPSP claims that the police investigation demonstrated that the advisor used his image and the power of his position to attract victims. “Under the pretext of offering them employment and other forms of help and support, he subjected them to situations of embarrassment and sexual violence,” the document states.
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The MPSP also highlights the volume of evidence, including consistent testimonies from victims, reports with security camera footage and the interrogation of Cássio Fala Pira, who admitted to sexual relations with the victims and the existence of naked video calls — which, for authorities, constitutes an abuse of power and vulnerability, even though the politician said the acts were consensual.
Based on the police investigation, the MPSP requests the conviction of the councilor for “acts of administrative improbity that violated the principles of public administration”, the loss of his mandate and the suspension of Cássio Fala Pira’s political rights for five years.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office for the Defense of Public and Social Heritage of Piracicaba also requests payment of a fine in the amount of 24 times the remuneration that the defendant received as advisor to Piracicaba and a ban on contracting with Public Authorities for a period of five years.
The appeal was received by the judiciary and the procedure is currently awaiting the summons of the advisor so that he can present his defense.
THE Metropolises He requested the councilor’s defense to comment on the MPSP’s action, but received no response. The space remains open
Reports of rape and sexual harassment
At least six women filed police complaints denouncing Cássio for rape and stalking. According to reports made official by the Civil Police and transmitted to the MPSP, the crimes took place between 2015 and 2018.
The reports, which are quite detailed, demonstrate a series of similarities between the approaches practiced by Cássio. As the MPSP pointed out, the councilor took advantage of his position as a community leader and the vulnerable situation of the victims to commit the crimes.
According to the investigation, the targets faced problems such as unemployment, health problems and worked to help the population during disasters such as fires. Cássio had a history of approaching victims in times of social and financial difficulties and making sexual comments to them.
“People just ask for things, but no one gives anything in return. What will I gain if I help you?” the parliamentarian said to one of the attacked women.
In some cases, the insinuations resulted in sexual violence, such as forced sex.
One of the victims, after having been forced to masturbate the municipal councilor, heard him say “it’s not bad, you will be paid for that”, then “I will find you a job”. He also said that “there’s no point in reporting it because it will be your word against mine,” according to the report.
The defense maintains its innocence
Lawyer José Osmir Bertazzoni, who represents Cássio, told the Metropolises that the images of sexual abuse of children were transmitted to the councilor “in the form of a complaint against another person”. The parliamentarian allegedly went to the municipal council and reported the incident, saying he would file a complaint, which resulted in the search and seizure of the cell phone.
According to the defender, the misunderstanding was clarified during the police investigation, carried out in secret. This clarification, according to Bertazzoni, had “no legal consequences”. The defense was therefore surprised by “the use of this episode against the councilor on this occasion”.
He emphasizes that Cássio had no connection with the material found. “Mr. Cássio is innocent and is being persecuted for political reasons. In the end, his innocence will be proven,” he said.
Advisor sued after having his salary suspended
Cássio Fala Pira was dismissed from his position on the city council two days after his arrest. The dismissal, which has an indefinite duration, resulted in the interruption of the payment of the parliamentarian’s salary — a decision that was taken by the President of the Legislative Chamber, Councilor Rerlison Rezende (PSDB), and not by the Court.
Cássio therefore filed a complaint with the São Paulo Justice Court (TJSP) requesting the restitution of his parliamentary salary and, even, the retroactive payment of all amounts not credited since the suspension, with monetary correction. The MPSP preferred not to comment on the councilor’s request, citing “the absence of public interest”.
In a decision on Friday (28/11), Judge Wander Pereira Rossette Júnior, of the 1st Public Finance Court of Piracicaba, did not respond to the request for an injunction for the immediate reinstatement of the councilor, but decided to postpone the analysis of the request.
Cássio must then wait for the magistrate’s analysis. He has been in prison since October and the prison was transformed into a preventive prison in early December.
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