HomeBrazilFugitive selfie-loving Brazilian mayor surrenders

Fugitive selfie-loving Brazilian mayor surrenders

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil —  A 25-year-old Brazilian mayor who reveled in posting glamorous pictures of herself on social media and who is suspected of embezzling from the town coffers has surrendered after vanishing for more than a month.

Police responsible for the town of Bom Jardim in the far northeastern state of Maranhão confirmed to AFP reports that Lidiane Leite had turned herself in.

Leite shot to local fame after her boyfriend, farmer Beto Rocha, ran for mayor in 2012, but stepped aside amid corruption allegations.

Leite took over and won in 2013, then quickly became known more for showing off her high-rolling lifestyle than for helping the town of approximately 40,000 in the impoverished region.

Social media selfies and other shots of Leite showed her posing in tight tank tops, low-cut dresses and heavy jewelery as she partied or vacationed.

The pictures included her drinking champagne and appearing in expensive cars, earning her the tag in Brazilian media of “Mayor Showoff.”

On August 20, after prosecutors accused Leite of involvement in the embezzlement of town school funds, she went on the run, only turning herself in on Monday, 39 days later, in the regional capital São Luis. Video on Globo news site showed her entering the police station in an unusually plain all-black outfit.

According to Brazilian media reports, the school fraud and other corruption could involve a total of 15 million reais ($3.6 million).

Trending Now

Costa Rica Expands Yellow Fever Vaccine Rule to Eight More Countries

Costa Ricans and legal residents planning trips to several parts of South America and the Caribbean need to check their vaccination records before heading...

US Military Plane Flies 45 Tons of Seized Drugs Out of Costa Rica

Costa Rica sent 45 tons of seized drugs to the US on a military jet after prosecutors said budget limits prevented destroying them at home.

Costa Rica Tech Group Unveils Sweeping AI and Blockchain Law Proposal

A newly formed private technology industry group has unveiled a sweeping legislative proposal that would set rules for artificial intelligence, blockchain, digital assets and...

Tropical Wave 47 Brings Afternoon Storms to Costa Rica This Weekend

Tropical Wave 47 brings afternoon storms across Costa Rica today, with heaviest rain in the north and central mountains. Plan outdoor time early.

Apple Brings Tap to Pay on iPhone to Costa Rica

Apple rolls out Tap to Pay on iPhone in Costa Rica. Businesses can now accept in-person contactless payments on an iPhone, with no separate...

Human Trafficking Cases Reach 16-Year High in Costa Rica

Costa Rica recorded 83 human trafficking victims in 2025, the highest number reported in any single year since at least 2010, according to figures...

Costa Rica Turns to Bryan Ruiz After Firing Fernando Batista

Former Costa Rica captain Bryan Ruiz will take temporary charge of the national team after the Costa Rican Football Federation fired Argentine coach Fernando...

Costa Rica Blows 3-0 Halftime Lead in 4-3 Home Loss to Curaçao

Costa Rica led Curaçao 3-0 at halftime in its Nations League opener, then conceded four second-half goals as home fans turned on coach Fernando Batista.

Honduras Adopts El Salvador-Style Prison Measures Against Gangs

Honduras has approved stricter prison rules targeting suspected gang members and drug traffickers, adopting measures similar to those used in El Salvador’s anti-gang crackdown.
Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel