Director of radio journalism of Pará is threatened with death after denouncing irregularities involving the city hall

Carlos Baía, director of the Journalism Department of Metropolitana Radio Station, from Barcarena, Pará, was threatened with death after denouncing irregularities involving the City Hall of Barcarena. The journalist denounced a ghost employees fraud, involving employees hired by Olival José do Espírito Santo, director of Barcarena City Hall Human Resources Department. 

The journalist was approached by Espírito Santo, who offered him R$ 3 thousand by week (approx. US$ 1,5 thousand) to avoid that the case was taken to the Public Ministry. The employee of the city hall was arrested in flagrante delicto in July 8 for trying to bribe the journalist.

Since this arrestment, the journalist has been repeatedly threatened with death by telephone. Baía withdrew himself from the radio and from the city.

“When they call, they even say to the telephone operator that the reporter is in trouble. I had to leave the radio for a while in order to avoid something bad to happen. However, I will reassume my work as a reporter”, said the journalist to Abraji. 

Baía  filed a police report at the Police Station of Barcarena. 

The city hall press office was contacted by Abraji, but they said they could not declare anything. At the moment, Espírito Santo is free on parole.