SP court annuls two more Bolsonaro fines for not wearing a mask during the pandemic

The Court of the State of São Paulo annulled two more fines imposed on former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) for violating the rule of wearing a mask during the Covid-19 pandemic. The combined value of these penalties exceeds R$100 thousand. The penalties were extinguished based on the law sanctioned in November last year by the governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans). The text grants tax amnesty to everyone who was punished for non-compliance with the health measures imposed during that period.

The most recent decision in this regard was handed down this Monday, 5th, by judge Juliana Maria Maccari Gonçalves, from the State Tax Execution Court. The lawsuit against Bolsonaro was worth R$55,500.

The other fine, of R$57,000, was annulled on January 25th by judge André Rodrigues Menk, also in charge of the State Tax Executions Court at the time. Ten days earlier, the same magistrate had already extinguished another tax execution for non-compliance with the use of masks in public events in the State in the amount of R$370 thousand.

These decisions occurred after the National Treasury canceled the debts based on the law sanctioned by Governor Tarcísio.

By forgiving the fines, the São Paulo government will stop collecting R$72.1 million. Alone, Bolsonaro was responsible for more than R$1 million, a sum corresponding to the five criminal executions for which he is responsible for not wearing a mask.

'Kitty'

In order to raise funds to pay the fines, the former President of the Republic received millionaire aid worth R$17.1 million into his accounts from his supporters through bank transfers made by Pix. This amount was raised over the first six months of 2023.

Bolsonaro had more than half a million reais blocked from his bank accounts in June this year, to pay fines for not wearing a mask in São Paulo. They were applied due to non-compliance with health laws in the municipalities of Itapeva and Miracatu, amid the covid-19 pandemic. With the TJSP's decision, which extinguishes the debt, the amount already paid must be returned to the former president.

In addition to Jair Bolsonaro, federal deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP) is also benefiting from this measure. The former president's son already received, on January 18, an amnesty of over R$56 thousand reais for an annulled action. The parliamentarian is awaiting judgment on another fine imposed for also not wearing a mask during the pandemic.

A survey by Estadão, published in June 2021, showed that Bolsonaro failed to comply with the health law most of the time he was fulfilling his agenda. Until that date, he had not worn masks at seven out of ten events on his calendar, or 73% of cases.