25-yr-old Brazilian mayor was running town via WhatsApp

An arrest warrant has been issued for Bom Jardim mayor Lidiane Leite, 25, who authorities believe stole funds earmarked for schools in her town, which is in the Brazilian state of Maranhao, one of the country’s poorest regions.

Meanwhile, she lived the life of luxury in Sao Luiz, the state capital of Maranhão, 277km from the town.

Leite enraged local residents by posting pictures of herself at nightclubs and parties in Sao Luis and is said to have sent messages to her Cabinet via WhatsApp. She was elected after her then-husband, Beto Rocha, was barred from running for mayor in 2012 for alleged corruption. Her Instagram account, which is now private, reportedly showed Leite posing for selfies with friends on jet skis, her personal trainer, and holding glasses of champagne.

Her lawyer, Carlos Barros, has since suggested blame for her behavior on Rocha, who served as Leite’s appointed main advisor.

Lidiane Leite has been on the run for 12 days, with no clues to her whereabouts, a Federal Police delegate from the northern state of Maranhao told CNN.

One of the comments she posted in a note to her followers translates to: “Before I was mayor, I was poor, had a Land Rover”. “Now I’m in a Toyota SW4. I should have bought a more luxurious auto because thank god the money is left”.

An arrest warrant has been issued for the 25-year-old over corruption allegations relating to missing school funds in Bom Jardim.

The town’s education system has now collapsed and teachers are not being paid, the BBC reports.

Ms Leite’s lawyer said she was not aware of engaging in any misconduct, the BBC said. “She lacked confidence and delegated many tasks to Mr Rocha”.

As Leite fled the area, her former deputy took her place and has vowed to the disgruntled community to complete a thorough investigation into the embezzlement.

“I can buy whatever I want, spend it how I like”, she allegedly bragged.