São Paulo Vice-Mayor Reports Fraud in Meal Contracts, Health Partnerships and Public Works
Vice-Mayor Ricardo Mello Araújo (PL) submitted four complaints to oversight bodies regarding irregularities in contracts from the Nunes administration. The cases involve a healthcare entity, an elderly care shelter, meal delivery and overbilling in a tender process.
São Paulo Vice-Mayor Accumulates Four Complaints Against Own Municipal Administration
São Paulo Vice-Mayor Colonel Ricardo Augusto de Mello Araújo (PL) submitted four complaints to oversight bodies in September 2026 pointing to suspected irregularities in contracts from the municipal administration itself — in addition to a fifth complaint sent to the Public Ministry on Tuesday (10) regarding partnerships for Virada Esportiva 2026, which total R$ 21.2 million. G1.globo.com had access to the documents and verified the contents of the complaints.
Mayor Ricardo Nunes (MDB) responded on Wednesday (11) that Mello Araújo needs to have "more technical knowledge" before making public complaints.
Health Partnership with False Certificates and Fraudulent Accounts
One of the complaints concerns the Nova Esperança Philanthropic Association (AFNE), a non-profit Health Social Organisation (OSS) that managed dozens of healthcare units and Psychosocial Care Centres (CAPS) in the capital in partnership with the Municipal Health Secretariat.
In March 2026, the City Hall had already suspended the contract with the entity following investigations by the Municipality's Comptroller General pointing to suspected "ghost" employees in units in the central region and at the CAPS IV in Cracolândia. The vice-mayor's complaint adds new suspicions: the presentation of a false certificate of technical capacity and fraudulent accounting statements in a previous tendering process.
According to the document, the entity would have used these fraudulent statements in tenders for the Centre, North, South Zone and Brasilândia Hospital between 2021 and 2025. The complaint was incorporated into an inquiry already underway at the Public Ministry.
"Given the above, I request analysis of the attached materials, adoption of appropriate measures within the constitutional and legal powers of this ministerial body, aiming at investigating the reported facts and ending the irregularity noted," Mello Araújo stated in the document.
Elderly Care Institute with Security Deficiencies and Transfers Without Functionality
The second complaint, filed on 17 September 2026, points to irregularities at the Long-Term Care Institute for the Elderly (ILPI) located at Rua Cajueiros, 310, in Jardim Oriental, administered by the Caminho da Luz Charitable Association (ABECAL).
An inspection carried out on 4 September 2025 recorded the absence of fire-fighting materials, lack of Fire Department Inspection Certificate (AVCB) and hydraulic failures in bedroom wardrobes and laundries, in addition to a shortage of industrial kitchen utensils. The building had been leased in January 2024 but had not been inaugurated by the date of the inspection.
The document mentions monthly transfers of R$ 255,089.61 and notes that between January 2024 and September 2025, 20 months of rent were paid. Payroll expenses totalled R$ 5,101,792.20, according to the complaint, "with no functionality". The case is proceeding in the 6th Public Prosecution Office.
Seven of Eleven Meal Contracts Were "Non-Existent"
The third complaint, presented on 19 September 2026, involves meal delivery contracts from the Municipal Secretariat for Human Rights and Citizenship (SMDHC). During visits conducted on 24 March 2025, it was found that 7 of the 11 contracts analysed were "non-existent" regarding the production or delivery of meals at the stated addresses.
Each contract had a value of R$ 90,000 and provided for the supply of 200 meals. According to the complaint, the case was communicated to the secretary of the department on 25 March 2025 and to the municipal comptroller on 9 June 2025, with requests for contract cancellation, refund of amounts and investigation of responsibilities — with no response.
On 31 July 2026, Mello Araújo again called for action. The response received stated that SEI process no. 6067.2025/0016842-4 was restricted and under confidentiality. The case was registered with the 5th Public Prosecution Office.
Court of Accounts Suspends Cycle Bridge Tender Over Overbilling Suspicion
The fourth complaint was sent to the Municipal Court of Accounts (TCM) on 16 September 2026 and concerns suspected overbilling in tender SPOBRAS 006/SPOBRAS/2026, relating to the implementation of the Panorama Cycle Bridge in the south-eastern region of the capital.
In a response dated 1 October 2026, the president of the TCM, Domingos Dissei, informed that in a session held on 30 September 2026, the court endorsed a precautionary measure that suspended the signing of the contract and the issuance of the work commencement order.
Virada Esportiva: R$ 21.2 Million Under Investigation
On Tuesday (10), Mello Araújo sent another complaint to the Public Ministry requesting investigation into possible irregularities in the contracting and execution of partnerships for Virada Esportiva 2026, an event promoted by São Paulo City Hall itself. The contracts entered into by the Municipal Secretariat for Sports and Recreation (SEME) with civil society organisations involve R$ 21.2 million in public funds.
In a social media post, the vice-mayor stated that he would send the complaint to Mayor Nunes himself.
Source: Google News BR — São Paulo