Former USP dean is convicted of illegal contracts – 07/06/2023 – Educação

The former dean of USP (University of São Paulo) João Grandino Rodas was convicted of entering into illegal donation contracts for renovations at the Faculty of Law in 2009.

The decision, in the first instance, determines that he pay an amount equivalent to 12 times what he received in his last salary as dean of the university. Appeal is possible.

A Sheet tried to contact Rodas, but he could not be reached.

The process began in 2013, when the State Public Prosecutor’s Office found him guilty of administrative impropriety for the donation contracts signed when he was director of the Faculty of Law.

According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, Rodas entered into illegal agreements, without bidding and without administrative authorization, with the law firms Pedro Conde and Pinheiro Neto.

The contracts stipulated that the offices would renovate an auditorium, a set of bathrooms and a classroom. In return, Rodas gave authorization for the college’s environments to be named after the founders of the offices.

The renovations were carried out by the offices, but, in 2010, a decision by the Faculty of Law congregation revoked the contracts, preventing the agreed honors. Thus, representatives of the Pedro Conde office filed a claim for compensation for breach of contract in the amount of BRL 1 million —they later waived the compensation.

Judge Renato Augusto Pereira Maia decided that there is no reason for conviction for administrative impropriety, but for having violated the principle of publicity in his act.

“The lack of publication of the donation contract is evident in the records. The publicity of the terms assumed by the University of São Paulo was waived, avoiding impugnation and control, as a form of authoritarian action and in disagreement with a Democratic State”, says the judge in the decision.

“Only at a later time, when the reform of the classrooms had already been carried out without being aware of the charge, when the insurgency of students and teachers against the suggested nomenclature began, did the condition surface”, he continues.

The magistrate also points out that Rodas’ conduct led the university to be sued by donors.

“The impact of the infraction is relevant, since the works were carried out without control and without supervision and, due to the defendant’s conduct, there is a lawsuit against the University seeking reimbursement, which, in my understanding, is due. donor was harmed, since he had the legitimate expectation of having a painting in honor of his father at the University of São Paulo.”

In the action, the Public Prosecutor’s Office also asked that Rodas lose his political rights and civil service. The judge understood that there is no need for this type of conviction.