TRE-RJ Prohibits Anthony Garotinho from Using Public Funds and Electoral Airtime

The Regional Electoral Court of Rio de Janeiro (TRE-RJ) unanimously prohibited former governor Anthony Garotinho from accessing public electoral funds and using free radio and television airtime. The decision follows a final conviction for administrative improbity involving the diversion of 234.4 million reais from the Health Secretariat to NGOs that funded his 2006 presidential pre-campaign. The irregularities occurred during the administration of his wife, Rosinha Garotinho, who served as governor from 2003 to 2006.

The court's ruling prevents Garotinho from accessing the Party Fund and the Special Campaign Financing Fund. Additionally, the tribunal ordered the return of any unused public resources already transferred to his campaign and established a 10 percent fine on any public funds passed to him after the decision. While the center-right source notes that Garotinho may still participate in campaign activities using private resources and keep his name on the ballot for now, the center source emphasizes that the ruling suggests his candidacy registration is unlikely to be approved.

Garotinho's defense argues that the suspension of his political rights began in August 2018 and has already expired. However, Judge Bruno Bodart stated that regardless of the timeline, Garotinho could not have been effectively affiliated with the Republicanos party by the April deadline required for the current elections. The defense has stated they will pursue all available legal measures to reverse the decision.

In a broader context, the center-right source frames this decision as following a similar legal precedent recently set by the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) regarding candidate Pablo Marçal. According to Datafolha polling cited by the center source, Garotinho currently holds 7 percent of voting intentions, trailing Eduardo Paes and Douglas Ruas.