MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Lula da Silva’s main Senate ally faces strong corruption claims

Former president Jose Sarney, man of many virtues and influence

One of Brazilian president Lula da Silva main allies in Congress could have to resign or be impeached according to the latest news from Brasilia. Former President Jose Sarney and currently president of the Senate, faces mounting accusations of corruption and nepotism.

Since elected to the president bench of the Senate last February, a key post since it decides on the Upper House legislative agenda, Mr. Sarney has been exposed to increasing incriminating evidence of alleged graft, influence peddling, inside information, employing relatives or staff from the family in the Senate’s payroll.

Only a month ago Lula da Silva was forced to come out openly in support of his Conservative ally who ensures the Brazilian president a working majority in Senate.

The president used expressions such as “fabricated evidence”, “rumours and hearsay” and called for an end to the “hounding” of Congressional members since it is derogatory and damaging for one of the branches of government.

Bus in spite of President Lula da Silva’s appeal evidence seems to be mounting. Not only has it been proved that his family’s home staff is paid by the Senate, but now it surfaced that his grandson was involved in 2.5 million US dollars operations, acting as an intermediate between banks and the Senate permanent staff of 10.000.

The Brasilia press published that Jose Andriano Cordeiro Sarney was involved in trafficking influence by having several banks lend money to the Senate which was then loaned out to the 10.000 staff. His grandfather’s contacts, Senator Jose Sarney were essential for the operation to be approved by the administration of Congress.

The head of the Senate opposition Arthur Virgilio warned that Senator Sarney position was becoming “unsustainable” and “embarrassing” for the Upper House.

“He’s striding fast towards an unviable, possibly inevitable situation”, said Senator Virgilio. His options are drastically being reduced to “taking absence of leave, long holidays or simply resigning to his bench, unless he comes out with precise replies, and urgently”.

This is not the first time the Lula da Silva administration has been involved in corruption scandals. During his first four year tenure he lost his Finance Minister, Cabinet Chief, one of his main advisors and several members of Congress from his Workers Party who had committed coarse abuse of government funds and influence.