TRE maintains impeachment of the mayor and vice-mayor of Bela Vista do Maranhão The Regional Electoral Court (TRE) maintained, on Thursday (16), the impeachment of the mayor and vice-mayor of Bela Vista do Maranhão, 244 km from São Luís, for abuse of economic power. The decision was unanimous and confirmed the sentence of the Electoral Court, which had determined the loss of mandates. In addition to the mayor and vice-mayor, the former mayor of Bela Vista do Maranhão, José Augusto Souza, was also tried. According to the investigations, he used the public machine to influence the electoral campaign of the winning ticket in the 2024 elections. In 2025, the Electoral Court revoked the mandates of mayor Adilson do Guri, from the Progressive Party (PP), and vice-mayor José Carlos Soares Melo for abuse of economic power during the 2024 electoral campaign. ? Click here and subscribe to the g1 Maranhão channel on WhatsApp The trial of Appeal against the first instance decision began two weeks ago. In the first session, four judges voted to maintain the impeachment. The analysis was suspended after a request for review by judge Marcelo Oka and resumed this Thursday (16), when the other magistrates accompanied the rapporteur, forming a unanimous decision. According to investigations, during the 2024 elections, then-mayor José Augusto Souza carried out temporary hiring during a period prohibited by electoral legislation, using resources from the Basic Education Maintenance and Development Fund (Fundeb). In addition to maintaining the revocation of mandates, the decision also made former mayor José Augusto Souza ineligible. Judge Sebastião Joaquim Lima Bonfim stated that the case constituted a misuse of purpose and fraud in the public tender. According to him, the municipality failed to comply with a conduct adjustment agreement (TAC) by opting to hire temporary workers instead of nominating candidates approved in a competition for the education area. In the vote, the judge highlighted that there was use of resources linked to basic education for electoral purposes and a significant increase in the municipality's expenses. For him, these elements meet the requirements set out in Complementary Law No. 64/1990 and justify maintaining the sentence that recognized the abuse of political power. Despite the decision, those convicted remain in office. It is still possible to present an appeal to the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), and the removal can only occur after the action has become final and unappealable. Meanwhile, new elections cannot be called. TRE maintains impeachment of the mayor and deputy of Bela Vista do Maranhão for abuse of economic power Reproduction/TV Mirante In the same session, the TRE of Maranhão formed a majority to reject the embargoes for declaration presented by the impeached mayor of Nova Olinda do Maranhão, Ary Menezes, from the PP, and by the vice-mayor Ronildo da Farmácia, from the MDB. The rapporteur voted for rejection and was joined by three other magistrates, forming a majority of four votes. However, the trial was suspended after a request for review. Ary Menezes and the vice-mayor had their mandates revoked for abuse of political and economic power and for buying votes in the 2024 elections. If the majority is maintained at the end of the trial, the decision can be executed by the Electoral Court. Another trial initiated by the TRE was the appeal presented by the mayor of Caxias, Gentil Neto, from the PP. The rapporteur voted to acquit the mayor and was accompanied by two other magistrates. The trial was also suspended after a request for review and does not yet have a completion date. Understand the case The Electoral Court of Maranhão ordered the revocation of the mandates of the mayor of Bela Vista do Maranhão, Adilson da Silva Sousa, known as Adilson do Guri (PP) and the deputy mayor of the municipality José Carlos Soares Melo for abuse of political and economic power during the electoral campaign in 2024. The decision is subject to appeal. The decision is made by judge Alexandre Antônio José de Mesquita from the 77th electoral zone. The ticket that had Adilson and José Carlos as candidates for mayor and vice-mayor was elected with 54.26% of valid votes in the last municipal elections. They were supported by the then manager of Bela Vista, José Augusto Sousa Veloso. The investigation points out that José Augusto used the public sector to benefit their campaign during the election year, by hiring temporary employees during a period prohibited by law. Between July 15 and August 28, 2024, 20 employees were hired for education and 400 guards were hired to work in 19 schools in the municipal network, around 20 professionals per school. Personnel expenses rose from R$6.4 million to R$14 million. Mayor Augusto Filho was the target of an operation by the MP investigating embezzlement of public funds Personal file The practice constituted an abuse of political power and as a result, the diplomas of the two benefiting candidates were ordered to be revoked. The three were convicted of prohibited conduct, paid a fine of R$50,000 and are ineligible for eight years. With the revocation, the Electoral Court ordered new elections to be held in the municipality of Bela Vista. The date for the new election has not yet been announced. What the mayor and vice-mayor say Electoral Justice determines the revocation of the mandates of mayor and vice-mayor of Bela Vista do MA In a note published on a social network, Adilson do Guri and José Carlos stated that they received the Electoral Court's decision with surprise and that they carried out a clean campaign, without illegalities and with respect for the population. The mayor and vice-mayor reinforced that they will comply with court orders and adopt the appropriate measures to review the decision. And only after the appeals process has been exhausted can they be removed from office and a new municipal election held (see the full note below). Note in full from the mayor and vice-mayor of Bela Vista do