MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Brazil's prosecution seeks to charge Lower House speaker and a Senator on Petrobras corruption
Cunha and Collor, now senators are among 50 politicians under investigation over a scheme that saw some $2bn illegally diverted from Petrobras accounts 
Cunha, according to the witness, accepted $5 million between 2006 and 2012 in exchange for his help in obtaining a contract to build vessels for Petrobras 
Collor, pocketed some $7.5m between 2010 and 2014 through a “sophisticated money-laundering system” involving some companies he owned 
Attorney General Rodrigo Janot asked the Supreme Court to accept charges. Brazil's highest court is the only tribunal that can try senior elected officials. Brazilian prosecutors on Thursday asked the Federal Supreme Court to authorize prosecution of the speaker of the lower house of Congress, Eduardo Cunha, in a massive corruption case centered on state-controlled oil giant Petrobras.
In the same application, Attorney General Rodrigo Junot asked the high court to accept charges against former President Fernando Collor de Mello, who resigned in 1992 - just two years into his term - to avoid impeachment for corruption.
Cunha and Collor, now a senator, are among 50 politicians under investigation over a scheme that saw some $2 billion illegally diverted from Petrobras accounts, according to the company's own estimates.
The wide-ranging scandal involves allegations that leading engineering and construction groups overcharged the oil giant for contracts, splitting the extra money with corrupt Petrobras officials while setting aside some of the loot to pay off politicians who provided cover for the graft.
Because Cunha and Collor enjoy legislative immunity, the AG office needs approval from the Federal Supreme Court to indict them. The nation's highest court is also the only tribunal that can try senior elected officials.
Collor and Cunha will have the opportunity to present exculpatory evidence before the Federal Supreme Court rules on whether to allow the cases to go forward.
The attorney general accuses both politicians of having received kickbacks.
Collor, 65, pocketed roughly $7.5 million between 2010 and 2014 through a “sophisticated money-laundering system” involving some companies he owned and others in which he is listed as an associate, according to documents prosecutors sent to the Supreme Court earlier this month.
The case against Cunha is based on the testimony of a consultant who has pleaded guilty in the Petrobras case and is cooperating with prosecutors.
Cunha, according to the witness, accepted $5 million between 2006 and 2012 in exchange for his help in obtaining a contract to build vessels for Petrobras. The congressional leader denies the allegations and says he is victim of persecution by the attorney general.
Earlier this month, former presidential chief of staff Jose Dirceu was formally arrested on charges arising from the Petrobras investigation.
Dirceu, who was sentenced to prison for bribing lawmakers during the first administration of incumbent President Dilma Rousseff's predecessor and mentor, Lula da Silva, is accused of orchestrating the decade-long corruption scheme
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Read all commentsOnly an ethical party and seated in an ideological platform as the PT, would be able to carry forward the break subservience between the executive and legislative branches. Historically in Brazil, on behalf of governance, there has always been an exchange of favors between the executive and the legislative originated up there a number of anomalies in the management of the Brazilian state: physiologism, incompetent public officials, bribery, volatile parliamentary bases, mismanagement of resources public, political state rigging, cross nepotism, etc.
Aug 21st, 2015 - 08:52 am 0The right-wing parties do not follow an ideological line, on the contrary. They follow the line of his own advantage, whether financial, or political. In recent months we have seen the parliamentary base of the PSDB combined with PMDB dissidents approve proposed laws harmful to the interests of Brazil in order to force presidential vetoes that eventually “tarnish” its popularity.
These politicians of right-wing parties are irresponsible and should not rule the country. I will mention some names: Aécio Neves, Aloysio Nunes, José Serra, Eduardo Cunha, Ronaldo Caiado, Jair Bolsonaro, José Agripino, Renan Calheiros, Cássio Lima, Collor de Melo, etc.
These parliamentary they represent the Oligarchy ever ruled this country. They are mostly owners of national media or closely linked to them. These are the media who write about Brazil and its government and where international agencies seek their own source of information.
What do you think this “partisan” media writes about the current Brazil?
The least I expect of any reader is to reflect on what you read, you criticize and you diversify your sources of information. Otherwise, how Conqueror said, you will be suffering brainwashed.
@1. Should we ask about the Mensalão scandal in 2005? How about the Lavajato scandal? Seemed to be about corruption.
Aug 21st, 2015 - 10:31 am 0@1
Aug 21st, 2015 - 10:34 am 0Good God brasso, a semi coherent post from you, which Brasso are you today 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,or 10?
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