<p>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.  <br /><br />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. <br /><br />Since this arrestment, the journalist has been repeatedly threatened with death by telephone. Baía withdrew himself from the radio and from the city. <br /><br />“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.  <br /><br />Baía  filed a police report at the Police Station of Barcarena.  <br /><br />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.</p>