Kassa(m)b(an)do: S. Paulo Mayor With “Mandate Revoked”

Kassab's highly effective media blitz in the 2006 mayoral race -- the mayor's reputation for truculence and crudity was addressed by the substitution of his actual likeness by a family values-friendly animated character (above) -- must have cost a fortune.

The other shoe falls this time:

• “Elektions Kourts Kould Kan Kassab”

I read it in the Estadão: Court does indeed revoke the mandate of São Paulo mayor Gilberto Kassab (DEM) for exceeding a 20% limit on illegal campaign contributions.

You read right: For exceeding a 20% limit on illegal donations.

I wish the IRS had a 20% limit on unreported income. My tax bracket would effectively fall to 19%.

Kassab remains in office pending appeal.If he prevails, prosecutors may appeal the appeal to a higher court. This here is not what you are used to from watching Law & Order.

The judge in the case admitted there may be some grounds for appeal, given a precedent established in the 2006 elections by the federal elections tribunal, which argued for the legality of the type of donation in question.

Not touched upon is the question of whether donations to the Kassab campaign by federal district governor José Roberto Arruda — currently jailed for witness tampering in a corruption probe of his administration —  might have been fruit of the poisoned tree.

The donations in questions allegedly came from prohibited sources after being laundered through an association with a different (eligible) legal status.

Silveira considerou como fonte vedada de doação eleitoral empreiteiras que integram concessionárias de serviços públicos e a AIB. A entidade é acusada pelo Ministério Público Estadual (MPE) de servir de fachada do Sindicato da Habitação (Secovi). Por lei, sindicatos não podem fazer doações a candidatos, comitês e partidos.

Judge Silveira deemed donations from public works contractors who are shareholders in public concession-holders and the Brazilian Real Estate Association (AIB). The AIB is accused by the state prosecutor of serving as a facade for SECOVI, a construction syndicate. By law, syndicates cannot make donations to candidates, committees or parties.