Report published this Monday (13) by the portal UOL shows that former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) spent at least BRL 697,000 from his corporate card on campaign activities in the 2022 elections, in which he would end up defeated by current president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT).
The survey, based on spreadsheets released by the government at the request of the agency Know, showed expenses incurred as of August. The volume of public funds used may be even greater, since many invoices for expenditures during the election campaign period have not yet been released.
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The expenses calculated by the UOL were classified as “election activities” in official reports. The portal claims to have contacted the party and Bolsonaro’s defense team, but did not receive a response.
In one of the episodes, the corporate card was used to pay a bill for R$50,000 in snacks in Vitória da Conquista (BA). Bolsonaro went to the city in August, and participated in one of his many “motociatas” alongside former minister and then candidate for governor João Roma (PL).
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Still on the same trip, the card was activated to pay accommodation expenses for a delegation of about 50 people: another R$ 44,700 with public money while the then president tried to win votes to remain on the Planalto.
Other robust campaign spending was carried out in Aparecida (SP), where supporters of the then candidate offended Aparecida TV in the midst of celebrations for the patron saint of Brazil, on October 12th. It cost more than R$40,000, including R$18,000 for accommodation and about R$16,000 for snacks.
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O UOL recalled that the legislation is not clear about the use of the corporate card with this type of expense. While the law stipulates that the party must reimburse the public coffers with personal transportation costs for the candidate and his entourage during the election period, other expenses are not foreseen.
Lawyers heard by the portal stated that resources for other purposes should not be pledged, not even with a promise of reimbursement. Therefore, Bolsonaro’s spending on the corporate card in campaign activities would be considered illegal, as he would be putting himself at an advantage over other competitors.
Editing: Vivian Virissimo
