TCU demands explanations from Moro about his work after leaving the government.
Minister Bruno Dantas, of the TCU (Federal Court of Accounts), requested clarifications regarding Sergio Moro's employment contracts after he left the Ministry of Justice.
Luiza Calegari, Conjur - Because he found insufficient evidence to prove illegal activity, Minister Bruno Dantas of the Federal Court of Accounts requested clarification regarding Sergio Moro's employment contracts after he left the Ministry of Justice.
The former minister was the subject of a complaint for becoming a newspaper columnist while simultaneously receiving his full ministerial salary, a benefit granted to officials who leave the government to allow them to observe a "quarantine" period without holding other paid positions. The complaint requested that the salary payments be suspended.
In his decision this Tuesday (June 23), Bruno Dantas points out that two main points need to be clarified before a decision is made regarding the suspension of payments to the former minister.
The first is the regularity of receiving public funds if there are other sources of income, "since remuneration during the quarantine period is only justified so that the former agent can remain away from any source of conflict of interest."
On the other hand, it is necessary to clarify the nature of the work performed, in order to ascertain whether the activities being carried out by the former minister are compatible with the provisions of the Conflict of Interest Law.
Despite the Public Prosecutor's Office's diligence, Dantas pointed out that it has not been proven that the activity carried out by Moro is remunerated, which would disqualify it from public payment.
Representation
The Public Prosecutor's Office at the TCU (Federal Court of Accounts) had filed a complaint against Moro's actions, which allegedly violated the "quarantine" imposed on authorities who leave their state functions.
The Ethics Committee prohibited Moro from practicing law, but authorized him to be a professor and columnist for newspapers and magazines. Thus, it was announced that the former minister would begin writing columns for CrusoÉ magazine and the newspaper O Globo.
According to the Public Prosecutor's Office, "it is a contradiction for those holding high-ranking positions in public administration to receive public funds for six months, in addition, in practice, to private income from their work at newspapers."