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Brazil is in trouble. Confronted with a massive downturn in the economy, its currency the Real has crashed, while its political class sinks in a quagmire of corruption allegations linked to the state oil company, Petrobras. But sleaze isn’t only the preserve of Brazil’s privileged, moneyed elite. In the northern state of Maranhao, a 25 year old former mayor is accused of skimming the budget of the municipality of Bom Jardim. Lidiane Leite – with a prolific presence on social-media - gained notoriety after it was revealed she ran council business remotely using WhatsApp. Prosecutors are investigating ten people and a potential fraud of $4 million. Meanwhile in Maranhao’s state capital, Sao Luis, a Governor with just a year in post, is attempting to bring a new broom to one of Brazil’s poorest regions – Flavio Dino claims to have cut expenses by thousands of Reals just by removing luxury items like seafood and champagne from state banquet menus. Linda Pressly reports from one of Brazil’s least known regions.

Produced and presented by Linda Pressly