Overview
- The 5th Civil Court of Brasília, which ruled Monday, ordered Valdemar Costa Neto to pay the Workers' Party R$20,000 for moral damages.
- Judge Wagner Pessoa Vieira found the remarks went beyond opinion by falsely imputing criminal conduct and noted there is no evidence the PT took part in the January 8, 2023 vandalism.
- Costa Neto made the accusation on September 13, 2025 at an event in Itu, São Paulo, claiming PT supporters started the destruction and citing supposed video evidence.
- The PT had sought R$30,000, and the judge set R$20,000 after weighing the gravity of the charge, its public reach, and a deterrent purpose.
- The decision allows an appeal and also requires payment of court costs and attorneys' fees set at 10% of the award.