The Attorney General of Justice of São Paulo, Paulo Sérgio de Oliveira e Costa, denounced Mayor Ricardo Nunes for injury against Public Prosecutor Ricardo Manuel de Castro. The complaint refers to the episode in which Nunes called Castro “idiot” during a press conference in March last year. The speech occurred after Castro filed a lawsuit for administrative impropriety against the city hall due to suspected overpricing in the purchase of water bottles for the 2024 carnival revelers. According to the São Paulo Public Prosecutor’s Office, the items were purchased for R$ 5.52 each, while the average market price ranged from R$ 0.65 to R$ 0.90 per unit.
Administrative Impropriety Action
The administrative impropriety action presented by Public Prosecutor Ricardo Manuel de Castro was motivated by a purchase that, according to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, presented values above the market price. In response, Nunes, in a press conference, stated that Castro was “idiot” and that he “keeps bothering people” to defend his political position. This statement was understood as an offense to the prosecutor, leading to an action for injury. In December, Nunes was sentenced to pay R$ 20,000 in moral damages to the prosecutor, in addition to being required to publish a note of retraction in a major newspaper in São Paulo and on his social media.
The denunciation for injury presented by the Attorney General of Justice of São Paulo may have implications for Nunes’ conduct as mayor and in his relationship with the Public Prosecutor’s Office. The case also brings to light the discussion about the responsibility of public agents in their public statements and respect for institutions. The decision to denounce Nunes reflects the concern with maintaining respect and integrity in interactions between public powers and institutions.
The mayor’s press office has not yet commented on the complaint. The case will follow its course in the judicial system, and it is now up to the judiciary to assess the evidence and decide on the merits of the complaint. Meanwhile, Mayor Nunes and his team will have to comment on the case, either through their defense in the process or in public statements. The expectation is that the case will be resolved within the legal parameters and with due respect to the institutions involved.
