Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE) formed a majority on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, to condemn Rio de Janeiro's former governor Cláudio Castro (PL) for political and economic power abuse in the 2022 elections, barring him from office until 2030. The 4-1 vote jeopardizes his Senate pre-candidacy.
Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE) formed a majority on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, with votes from ministers Isabel Gallotti (rapporteur), Antônio Carlos Ferreira, Floriano de Azevedo Marques, and Estela Aranha condemning Rio de Janeiro's former governor Cláudio Castro (PL) for political and economic power abuse in the 2022 elections. Minister Kassio Nunes Marques voted for acquittal. The score stands at 4 to 1, with more votes pending, but the majority is secured against Castro and co-defendants Rodrigo Bacellar (União), Thiago Pampolha, and Gabriel Rodrigues Lopes. Ineligibility lasts until 2030, for eight years. Castro resigned on March 23 to avoid cassation that might trigger a direct election in Rio, favoring an indirect one in the state assembly where PL holds the largest bloc. He stated he leaves 'with head held high'. The case probes the decree hiring 27,600 temporary workers at Fundação Ceperj and Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (Uerj), costing R$519 million in the first half of 2022, plus 2,139% increased transfers and R$248 million cash withdrawals in the 'secret payroll' scheme revealed by UOL in June 2022. Prosecutors claim they acted as campaign workers. Castro denies wrongdoing and was cleared by TRE-RJ 4-3 in May 2024. Rapporteur Isabel Gallotti and Floriano de Azevedo Marques found electoral motivation proven, including server coercion and lack of hiring criteria. Floriano noted: 'The numbers are impressive... the increase was on the order of 2,139%'. Kassio argued insufficient proof of election impact, as Castro won 58.67% in the first round: 'Conviction based on presumptions is not admissible'. President Cármen Lúcia expedited the trial with an extraordinary session. Despite ineligibility, Castro can file for Senate and appeal to the STF for reversal before certification, as allies admit.
