Former Mayor of Maranhão Town Turns Herself in After 39 Days on the Run

09/29/2015 - 09h24

After 39 days on the run, the former mayor of Bom Jardim (MA), Lidiane Leite, 25, turned herself in on Monday (28) at the headquarters of the Federal Police in state capital São Luis.

Suspected of diverting resources designated for school food, Leite became notorious for posting selfies and showing off her wealth on social networks, while she governed Bom Jardim from São Luis via the messaging application WhatsApp.

She was removed from her post by the city council at the beginning of the month, having been on the run since the start of the Federal Police's Operation Éden, on August 20.

She is suspected of diverting resources of up to R$15 million (USD $3.7 million) from the city's education budget. Classes have been held outside in the city, under the cover of trees.

She will be charged with embezzlement, bid rigging and conspiracy.

Elected mayor at just 22 years of age, Leite arrived in power by chance. Just days from the election in 2012, she assumed the candidacy of her boyfriend, cattle farmer Beto Rocha, who had been barred from standing by the Lei da Ficha Limpa ("Clean Slate Law", designed to prevent candidates involved with corruption and other crimes from running for office).

Leite left her middle-class life behind her after meeting Rocha, whose personal wealth is estimated at almost R$14 million (USD $3.4 million), according to the Electoral Court.

She began to show off her new lifestyle on social networks. She posted photos from parties, posing with expensive drinks, telling her critics that she bought whatever she wanted, with money "to spare".

She will also have to explain cuts to teachers' salaries, failing to adhere to the school calendar and failing to provide a regular supply of food.

Translated by TOM GATEHOUSE

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	Diego Chaves/OIMP/D.A Press.
	After 39 days on the run, the former mayor of Bom Jardim (MA), Lidiane Leite, 25, turned herself in on Monday (28)