Mayor of Rio Branco defends wife as chief of staff: “All Brazil does”

After criticism, the mayor of Rio Branco (AC), Tião Bocalom (PL), defended himself about named the woman, Kelen Rejane Nunes Bocalomfor the position of Chief of Staff. This Wednesday, 12, at the City Hall, said that there was no illegality in the case: “The whole Brazil does this.” The Public Prosecution Service of Acre (MP-AC) will investigate the appointment.

“We are based on law, I have the opinion of our Attorney. I insist, the whole of Brazil does this, most mayors appoint their wives to be social assistance secretaries, ”said the mayor. The appointment of Kelen Rejane Nunes was published in the State Official Gazette on Tuesday, 11.

Bocalom stressed that the choice for the position is related to the trust it has in your wife. “Dona Kelen will help me take better care of public money. I have a trusted person who will help me a lot, ”he argued.

The mayor said he did not worry about the investigation of the MP and not consider the appointment of the woman something immoral. “Immoral are the people who say that. The class that says it is immoral, for sure, when seeing a buck is crazy to put a hand in public money, ”he said.

The establishment of procedure that will investigate the appointment will be made by the 2nd Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for the defense of public heritage and supervision of the foundations and entities of social interest of the MP-AC.

As chief of staff, Kelen Rejane should receive $ 28.5 thousand, due to a readjustment granted in late 2024 to municipal secretaries. The change, which raised the remuneration by 90%, is still the subject of a public civil action.

THE Supreme Federal Court (STF) Since 2008, the hiring of relatives up to 3rd degree for public office, however, excluding political positions (such as municipal secretaries, state and ministers) from the rules that classify the practice of nepotism. Such standards are valid for administrative positions, which can be occupied by career servers or, if commissioned, by people unknowingly with the public manager.

In a note and appointment in the Official Gazette, the City of Rio Branco mentions the decision of the Court and says that “the appointment of the mayor’s spouse for office equivalent to that of municipal secretary, as it is a political position, does not characterize violation of binding summary No. 13 ”.

The statement also informs that “the Attorney General’s Office manifested itself by the legality of the appointment, through opinion 2024.02.002561, removing any macula to administrative principles.”

Kelen and Tião married in December 2024 after announcing the relationship in late March of the same year.