José Olímpio Silveira Moraes (born 11 December 1956) often referred to as José Olimpio or Missionário José Olimpio is a Brazilian politician, businessman, and pastor from São Paulo, having served as city councilmen and state representative.[1] He is also a senior leader of the Igreja Mundial do Poder de Deus.[2]
Early life
José Olímpio was born to a family of modest means and worked as a taxi driver before becoming a businessman. He is a senior leader in the neo-Pentecostal movement the Igreja Mundial do Poder de Deus and is a close friend to its founder Valdemiro Santiago. José Olímpio is often nicknamed Missionário José Olimpio for his frequent proselytism. His son Rodrigo Moraes is also a pastor in the church as well as also being a politician.[3]
Political career
José Olímpio would ultimately vote in favor of the impeachment against then-president Dilma Rousseff.[4] He would later back Rousseff's successor Michel Temer against a similar impeachment motion, and also voted in favor of the Brazil labor reform (2017).[5]
José Olímpio is a popular figure in his home state for his pushing a bill making home ownership easier. Before the bill passed in 2016, he said that it was his prime priority in the chamber of deputies.[6]
José Olímpio was accused of nepotism after helping his son, Rodrigo Moraes, of the PSC also get elected to represent São Paulo in the chamber of deputies in 2010.[7]
José Olímpio was investigated during Operation Car Wash for allegedly taking brides between 2011 and 2014.[8]
^Tomazela, José Maria (7 October 2014). "Eleição em família vira marca de Itu-SP" [Family election becomes Itu-SP brand] (in Portuguese). Estadão. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
^"MISSIONÁRIO JOSÉ OLIMPIO". MCN Investigativo (in Portuguese). Meu Congressonacional. Retrieved 25 February 2019.