Bolsonaro Fires Aide Who Kept Side Business Selling Açaí

08/14/2018 - 14h34

Despite claiming otherwise, congressman and presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro (PSL-RJ) is still using Congress funds to employ a member of his staff who owns an açaí shop in the same beach where Bolsonaro owns a summerhouse.

Folha de S.Paulo visited the shop on Monday (13) and bought açaí and cupuaçu (another Brazilian fruit) from Walderice Santos da Conceição, 50, during Congress working hours.

She said she works in the store, named "Wal Açaí" after herself, every afternoon. The store is located in Mambucaba's old town, 50 km (30 miles) from Angra dos Reis, in the coast of Rio de Janeiro state.

Since 2003, Conceição is listed as one of 14 aides for Bolsonaro, in Brasília, earning a monthly wage of R$ 1,351.46 (US$ 306) before taxes.

	Zanone Fraissat/Folhapress
	Jair Bolsonaro

Minutes after the reporters identified themselves and left town, she called Folha's Brasília bureau to say she was going to leave her job.

In the early evening, Bolsonaro confirmed he fired Conceição. "There are two dogs over there, and she brings them water every once in while, so they won't die of thirst. That's her crime, to bring water to the dogs," he said.

Folha de S. Paulo revealed Conceição as a "ghost aide" back in January. The issue was brought up again during the TV Bandeirantes presidential debate last Thursday (9), when Bolsonaro was asked about the case. The candidate replied that she was in vacation at that time.

There are no records that show that Conceição was taking time off this month.

Translated by NATASHA MADOV

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