Celso Pitta
Encyclopedia
Celso Roberto Pitta do Nascimento (ˈsɛwsu ˈpitɐ; 1946–2009) was a Brazil
ian economist
and politician
. He is a Bachelor in Economics by Fluminense Federal University
, master in Economics by University of Leeds
and specialist in Advanced Administration by Harvard University.
mayor of São Paulo
, from 1997 to 2000, elected as the successor of Mayor Paulo Maluf
under whom he was Municipal Secretary of Finance. Pitta was a member of the PPB party at that time, and faced corruption allegations like his predecessor, most notoriously with accusations coming from his ex-wife, Nicéa Camargo. On May 26, 2000 he was ousted from office by a decision of the São Paulo State Supreme Court, and Vice Mayor Régis de Oliveira
succeeded to the mayoralty. Eighteen days later the court's decision was reversed, and Pitta returned to office with Régis de Oliveira as vice mayor. In 2002 and 2006, Pitta ran for a seat in the Federal Chamber of Deputies, but was defeated both times.
The biggest corruption scandal which involved Pitta's administration was called, the "Escândalo dos Precatórios" and concerned the issue of municipal-guaranteed bonds to pay off debts resulting from judgments of claims against the City. At that time, the issue of municipal bonds for any other purpose had already been forbidden. To get around the budget limits, false "precatorios" were created so that bonds could be issued to get money to pay a variety of expenses.
Celso Pitta was indicted for money laundering and fraud, having already been convicted on two charges related to the "precatorios", before his arrest during the Satiagraha Operation.
In November 2009, he died from colorectal cancer
at the Hospital Sírio-Libanês in São Paulo
.
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian economist
Economist
An economist is a professional in the social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He is a Bachelor in Economics by Fluminense Federal University
Fluminense Federal University
- Introduction :The Fluminense Federal University is one of the four federally funded public universities in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil....
, master in Economics by University of Leeds
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
and specialist in Advanced Administration by Harvard University.
Mayor
Pitta was the second Afro-BrazilianAfro-Brazilian
In Brazil, the term "preto" is one of the five categories used by the Brazilian Census, along with "branco" , "pardo" , "amarelo" and "indígena"...
mayor of São Paulo
São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
, from 1997 to 2000, elected as the successor of Mayor Paulo Maluf
Paulo Maluf
Paulo Salim Maluf is a Brazilian politician with a career spanning over four decades and many functions, including those of State Governor of São Paulo, Mayor of the City of São Paulo, Congressman and Presidential candidate. As of 2011, Maluf is on a second consecutive term as Federal Deputy...
under whom he was Municipal Secretary of Finance. Pitta was a member of the PPB party at that time, and faced corruption allegations like his predecessor, most notoriously with accusations coming from his ex-wife, Nicéa Camargo. On May 26, 2000 he was ousted from office by a decision of the São Paulo State Supreme Court, and Vice Mayor Régis de Oliveira
Régis de Oliveira
Régis de Oliveira is a Brazilian professor and politician. He was mayor of São Paulo from May 26 to June 13, 2000.A magistrate in the São Paulo state court, he was elected a federal deputy for Brazilian Social Democracy Party in 1994. In 1996 he was elected deputy-mayor of São Paulo for the Party...
succeeded to the mayoralty. Eighteen days later the court's decision was reversed, and Pitta returned to office with Régis de Oliveira as vice mayor. In 2002 and 2006, Pitta ran for a seat in the Federal Chamber of Deputies, but was defeated both times.
The biggest corruption scandal which involved Pitta's administration was called, the "Escândalo dos Precatórios" and concerned the issue of municipal-guaranteed bonds to pay off debts resulting from judgments of claims against the City. At that time, the issue of municipal bonds for any other purpose had already been forbidden. To get around the budget limits, false "precatorios" were created so that bonds could be issued to get money to pay a variety of expenses.
Later life
Illegal financial operations made by Pitta were intercepted by the Federal Police during an Operation called Satiagraha, on 8 July 2008, leading to others' and the former mayor's arrest. The Satiagraha's Operation caught the former mayor illegal negotiations, between them, another precatorio's negotiation with the liquid value of 92 million reais, more than US$170 million, at that time.Celso Pitta was indicted for money laundering and fraud, having already been convicted on two charges related to the "precatorios", before his arrest during the Satiagraha Operation.
In November 2009, he died from colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer, commonly known as bowel cancer, is a cancer caused by uncontrolled cell growth , in the colon, rectum, or vermiform appendix. Colorectal cancer is clinically distinct from anal cancer, which affects the anus....
at the Hospital Sírio-Libanês in São Paulo
São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
.
External links
- Biographical Entry at BlackPast.orgBlackPast.orgBlackPast.org is a web-based free content reference center that is dedicated primarily to the understanding of African American history and the history of people of African ancestry...