The mayor of Bombinhas, north coast of Santa Catarina, Paulo Enrique Dalago Müller, known as Paulinho, was found guilty of non-pecuniary damages following comments made against a businessman in the city. He can still appeal the verdict. The comments were made in 2019 after a businessman criticized the TPA (Environmental Protection Tax).

Bombinhas mayor Paulinho was convicted in a non-pecuniary damages case after commenting on a city businessman – Photo: Reproduction/Social Media/ND

The mayor, in response to criticism, stated that “this citizen, he managed a hotel in the city for many years and was fired precisely, I think, because of incompetence, because he could not manage the hotel and the group, the children, they decided to take him out of the hotel.”

The businessman claimed that the comment had spread, made headlines and affected his reputation, who is the president of the CDL (Housekeepers Chamber) in Bombinhas.

As a result, businessman Mario Peña filed a lawsuit against Paulinho for non-pecuniary damage. The verdict published this Wednesday (31) and signed by Judge Mauricio Fabiano Mortari of the 1st District Court of Porto Belo. The fine was set at 8,000 reais.

The mayor’s press service said that “he will file an appeal and all measures will be taken directly in the process.”