Citing a lack of evidence, the Federal Court of Brazil’s Federal District dismissed an administrative misconduct lawsuit on November 5 against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and his former parliamentary aide Walderice Santos da Conceição, known as Wal do Açaí.
The Federal Prosecutor’s Office (MPF) accused Walderice of receiving a salary from the Chamber of Deputies without performing her duties and sought a judgment against both defendants and repayment of R$280,273.44. According to the accusation, she ran an açaí business and performed private services at Bolsonaro’s vacation home.
Judge Rodrigo de Godoy Mendes of the Federal District’s 6th Federal Civil Court considered testimony about the former aide’s community work and noted that Chamber rules allow aides to work in the states represented by lawmakers. He also found that cash withdrawals made by Walderice did not prove misappropriation of funds or improper transfers. The MPF can still appeal the decision.
