Dino Allies Break With Maranhão Governor After Leak Prompts Probes

Overview

• Federal deputies Rubens Jr (PT) and Márcio Jerry (PCdoB) announced a rupture with Governor Carlos Brandão and said two allies would leave his cabinet, naming Robson Paz and Rubens Pereira.
• Recordings published by state deputy Yglésio Moyses cite negotiations tied to a mayoral race in Colinas and vacancies at the Maranhão audit court, with references to cases under Justice Flávio Dino.
• Rubens Jr told the Chamber he was recorded illegally while reporting back on a conversation he says he had with Dino, called the audio clandestine and decontextualized, and denied any offer involving judicial processes.
• Dino’s office said he does not act on strictly political matters and will only address court cases in the official record, as an ADI on TCE appointments he reports remains paused.
• The Federal Police opened an inquiry into the leaks, while Rubens Jr and Jerry asked the Chamber’s president to have the legislative police investigate an alleged wiretap; Brandão’s office denied illegal recordings and alleged pressure tactics by rivals.