TSE Begins Judging Castro’s Removal Based on UOL News

There are indications that the hirings were used for political purposes. Part of the positions served to accommodate Castro’s godchildren and political allies during an electoral year. According to the Electoral Public Prosecutor’s Office, the employees hired in secret positions acted as electoral canvassers for federal and state deputies. The governor and the other defendants were acquitted by the Regional Electoral Court in March 2024. The score was 4 votes to 3—most of the judges considered that the case is not within the competence of the Electoral Justice. The Electoral Public Prosecutor’s Office, however, appealed to the TSE. In a statement released last week, Castro said he has “full confidence” in the Electoral Justice. He stated that “all government actions were carried out within the law, without any relation to the electoral campaign”, and reiterated “absolute respect for the legal process and the sovereign will of the almost 5 million voters from Rio de Janeiro who elected him.”