Electoral Clash in Minas
In the TV Globo debate, Governor Mateus Simões (PSD) publicly revealed a serious accusation against federal deputy Euclydes Pettersen, state president of the Republicanos and close ally of Senator Cleitinho Azevedo. The case involves alleged bribe proposals and political interference for the 2026 elections.
A document prepared by Simões himself outlines the timeline of contacts, which began in February 2024 and extended until July 2026. Screenshots of conversations and meeting records were attached to the material.
Initial Approaches
The first contacts occurred via message on February 23, 2024. In Brasília, four days later, Pettersen asked the governor to interfere in the selection of Fábio Silveira for a judgeship vacancy at TJMG. In exchange, he offered influence over Cleitinho in decisions for the next election.
Simões and former governor Romeu Zema rejected the nomination after receiving a court dossier with investigations against the lawyer, including accusations of sentence-buying and links to organized crime in eastern Minas Gerais.
R$ 10 Million Proposal
In July 2024, Pettersen mediated contact with Saulo de Tasso Dino, from the company Fictor, to offer technology services for payroll loans. The Secretariat of Planning and Management dismissed the idea, as the service was already handled by Prodemge.
In November of the same year, during an event in Trancoso (BA), the deputy again demanded the hiring and, faced with refusal, allegedly offered R$ 10 million — an amount that could be paid annually. The proposal was rejected immediately.
Comptroller's Analysis
In December 2024, the case reached the State Comptroller General's Office. The agency concluded there were insufficient elements for a police report, as there were no direct witnesses and the state administration had already blocked any hiring.
In June 2025, Simões reported the entire history directly to Cleitinho and recommended Pettersen's removal. The last recorded meeting took place in July 2026, when the deputy presented demands for Cleitinho to withdraw his candidacy for governor.
Deputy's Position
Pettersen denies all accusations and states that if the offer had occurred, Simões should have acted immediately. He classifies the accusations as false and says he will demand in court proof of the communication to the Comptroller's Office, in addition to suing the governor for slander and defamation.