Electoral Court fines Maluf for premature campaigning.
Maluf will have to pay a fine of R$ 5 for soliciting votes in an interview last November; the statement that resulted in Maluf's conviction was given by the congressman in an interview with the UOL portal and reproduced in other media outlets; on that occasion, he asked the journalist to vote for him in the next election and presented the number he intends to use to run for a new term in the Chamber of Deputies.
Daniel Mello – Reporter for Agência Brasil
Federal deputy Paulo Maluf (PP-SP) was convicted yesterday (11) by the Regional Electoral Court of São Paulo (TRE-SP) for early electoral campaigning. Maluf will have to pay a fine of R$ 5 for having asked for votes in an interview in November of last year.
The statement that led to Maluf's conviction was given by the congressman in an interview with the UOL portal and reproduced in other media outlets. During the interview, Maluf asked the journalist to vote for him in the next election and presented the number he intends to use for a new term in the Chamber of Deputies. The congressman took the opportunity to highlight his achievements as mayor and governor of São Paulo.
Maluf's advisors said they will appeal the conviction and defended the congressman's right to say whatever he wants in interviews and pronouncements. An appeal can be made to the Superior Electoral Court (TSE).