Juliana Maria Teixeira da Costa, vice-mayor of Ribeira (SP), was denounced for using R$41,200 in public funds to pay for a 'spiritual wedding' Social Networks The Court of Justice of São Paulo (TJ-SP) maintained the removal of the vice-mayor and former health secretary of Ribeira (SP), Juliana Maria Teixeira da Costa, accused of rigging bids and diverting R$41,000 to a “spiritual bond” in the interior of São Paulo. She was denounced by the Public Ministry (MP) along with a server and a businessman. Juliana was removed from her position in August 2025, after the MP denounced her for using public funds to hire a mother of saint. The objective was to perform a love tying ritual. In addition to her, two other men were accused. ✅Click here to follow the g1 Santos channel on WhatsApp. They are: Lauro Olegário da Silva Filho, then municipal health coordinator, and Willian Felipe da Silva, owner of the company W.F. Da Silva Trainings, hired by the city hall to provide services. In another case, Juliana is also accused of hiring a ghost server. Juliana's defense had requested the revocation of the suspension and precautionary measures imposed by the Apiaí Court. Among them is removal from office, prohibition of access to Ribeira City Hall and municipal departments and contact with witnesses. Vice mayor is denounced for using public funds to hire Mãe de Santo The defense claimed that the measures were unnecessary and disproportionate. Last week, however, the TJ concluded that there is sufficient evidence of the crimes being committed and that the restrictions are justified to preserve public order. For the judges, the measures are appropriate and less serious than preventive detention, which is why there was no illegal constraint. The habeas corpus, reported by judge Ronaldo Sérgio Moreira da Silva, was unanimously denied. Reported According to the MP, the accused would have joined a criminal association between 2021 and 2024 to defraud health sector tenders in the municipality. The complaint involves bidding fraud, use of false invoices and embezzlement of money. According to the prosecutor's office, the vice-mayor had diverted R$41,200 from public coffers to pay for the alleged love affair, with the aim of separating Lauro from his wife and establishing an emotional relationship with him. The transfer to Mãe de Santo was made through the company W.F. In this way, the Court ordered the suspension of trading contracts on suspicion of fraud. The mother of saint, in turn, said she had a loss of more than R$300,000. "The value of the work was R$380,000. I explained to her that it was a very strong sacrifice, that spirituality would give her all of it", said Mentor Samantha, responsible for the work. g1 contacted Juliana's defense to comment on the decision, but did not hear back until the last update of the report. VIDEOS: g1 in 1 minute Santos