STJ Upholds Arruda Conviction, Keeping Ex-DF Governor Ineligible

Overview

• The First Panel unanimously rejected the defense appeal in a virtual session concluded in mid-October, with the decision released on October 29.
• The outcome preserves the eight-year ineligibility tied to the improbity judgment, which could run through 2032 under current interpretations.
• Ministers held that documents, testimony, videos and audit findings supported the conviction, and reaffirmed that the STJ cannot reexamine the evidence.
• The case stems from Operation Caixa de Pandora and focuses on irregular contracts with Linknet, including debt recognitions of R$ 37.5 million and R$ 63.8 million.
• Arruda’s lawyers called the ruling grounded in unlawful evidence and argued recent electoral law provisions shield his eligibility, a contention the court did not accept.