Brazil, Political turmoil in Campinas (III): second mayor returns as third mayor is ousted by court ruling

On Tuesday, August 23, Vilagra officially moved up from vice mayor to take office as the mayor after the City Council removed Helio Santos for corruption (in a session that lasted most of the weekend, August 20-21). Among various questionable activities, Helio was accused of embezzlement at the local water company (“Sinasa”). However, it was discovered that Vilagra, as a director at Sinasa, may also have been involved in illegal activities there. So, on Wednesday, August 24, the City Council voted 29 to 4 to investigate Vilagra and, in order to expedite the investigation, to remove him from the office of mayor for 90 days. At that time, pursuant to municipal statutes, the president of the City Council, Pedro Serafim, was sworn in as mayor. Read Article