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last mo.

Curitiba Council President Targeted in Gaeco Probe Over Alleged Rachadinha and Sale of Jobs

Authorities seized electronics, documents and cash for forensic review and say the evidence could determine whether formal charges or administrative actions follow.

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Overview

  • A Gaeco operation tied to the Paraná public prosecutor executed 13 search warrants linked to council president Tico Kuzma and associates, with raids carried out at his council office and at least one municipal employee's home.
  • Investigators seized phones, computers, paper records and a reported R$37,500 in cash that have been sent for forensic analysis to support the ongoing criminal probe.
  • The MP-PR says the inquiry, opened about a year after an anonymous tip, alleges Kuzma charged roughly R$3,000 for nominations and required part of staff salaries to be returned, practices known in Brazil as rachadinha.
  • Kuzma has said he has no formal notice of accusations and pledged to cooperate, while the City Council and the Curitiba mayor's office authorized access to records and said they will assist and consider administrative measures if wrongdoing is confirmed.
  • Next steps hinge on perícia of seized material and could lead to formal criminal charges or staff suspensions; the case also raises local political risks because Kuzma is a PSD ally of Mayor Eduardo Pimentel and the probe comes ahead of election season.