MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Lula faces new corruption charges, but he leads polls for 2018 presidential election
New corruption charges linked to Brazil's massive embezzlement scheme at Petrobras oil company were filed on Thursday against former president Lula da Silva, prosecutors said. A judge will now have to decide whether Lula, whose spokesman called the charges “invented,” should face trial. Read full article
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Disclaimer & comment rulesHe is likely to lose more fingers by clinging onto the vestiges of power, do they not see it, or are all South American politicians power crazy? I suppose power means being able to hoodwink the unwashed into thinking that they will get something for nothing.
Dec 16th, 2016 - 10:12 am - Link - Report abuse 0More corrupt they are, more power they have
Dec 16th, 2016 - 12:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0More power they have, more money they earn; to:
- create a favorable image
- to brainwash the ignorant masses
- to buy votes
More money they have, more hardboiled they become.
In short; it is a vicious circle - an addiction to power.
The corrupt will lead the blind to the ballot boxes,
Dec 16th, 2016 - 01:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0brainwashing will do the rest ?
The toad will be croaking from some damp prison cell by end 2017...
Dec 18th, 2016 - 11:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“Practicing the crimes of passive corruption and money laundering…prosecutors said” What ever the former is, as it is a charge that is not known outside of Brazil. So they better have something like a “paper trail”, beside the word of “jail house snitches”. It couldn’t possibly have anything to do with the fact that, “he leads polls for 2018 presidential election”could it?
Dec 19th, 2016 - 03:21 am - Link - Report abuse -1That some people may put so much faith in human nature, to the extent of believing that such crimes (accepting bribes and money laundering) are unknown outside of Brazil (really ?), does not say much about their intelligence...
Dec 19th, 2016 - 03:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0As to paper trails, those already exist....now the prosecutors are just listening to the whistle-blowers, in order to confirm what the documents have already told them, just to fill in te blanks. As to polls indicating the popular preference for the 9-fingered mollusc in 2018, they are fake news, sponsored by the PT and the left-wing radicals to confuse the public...and they seem to be succeeding.
@JB
Dec 20th, 2016 - 12:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I think he means 'passive corruption' is unknown outside Brazil. But it's probably just another bad translation, perhaps you know what they actually mean by that phrase?
And the polls are fake news? Looks like the numbers come from Datafolha; are you claiming it's not a real polling company or that they made up the numbers?
http://datafolha.folha.uol.com.br/eleicoes/2016/12/1840614-lula-amplia-vantagem-no-1-turno-mas-perderia-disputa-direta-contra-marina.shtml
Briton:
Dec 20th, 2016 - 04:37 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The Corrupt:
- Remaining in power directly/indirectly - FOREVER
- Keeping the masses in misery, divided and powerless
- Keeping Brazil as ETERNALLY Under-Developed
THAT''s; “Operation Brainwash”: An Operation SO secret that NOBODY acknowledges its existence!
@DT'passive' corruption, or passive bribery', in this case refers to someone receiving a bribe; in contrast to 'active bribery', which occurs when a person gives a bribe, or promises to, in exchange for future gain; The none-too-subtle difference is that it’s passive (bribery) when it’s received, to either influence a decision or to sign a shady contract - the demand side ; and ‘active’ when the ‘supply’ side promises to pay a bribe if they get the business. But it all boils down to stealing; for ex, when Odebrecht, won the billionaire tender to build Puerto Mariel in Cuba, in which Lula used his influence (with the BNDES and Castro) to make sure Odebrecht got the financing and won the tender; after fixing the price, inflated by a few hundred million dollars, Odebrecht makes a handsome profit, then pays Lula, and the PT, enormous bribes in offshore accounts or in the form of other benefits, such as : the ‘triplex’ flat in Guarujá (from OAS) ; the country home in Atibaia (OAS & Odebrecht); 5 years of storage costs for the items he stole from the presidential palace when he left power (OAS - R$ 1,5 million) ; the penthouse flat neighbouring the one he lives in, in SBCampo (both paid for by Odebrecht); this is always done through an intricate network of “laranjas”, people who serve as a front to hide true ownership. The ‘funny’ thing about all these properties is that it’s notorious that Lula and his wife had them customized to suit their very own personal tastes, use them as their own, but claim they own none…but this narrative, by Lula lawyers, has disintegrated under the plea-bargain testimonies, not to mention that some documents were retrieved by the Federal Police which prove he is in fact the owner of the properties without having paid for them, and despite they aren’t registered in his name…
Dec 20th, 2016 - 08:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0On the other hand, it must be very nice to have friends that give you such wonderful, expensive presents...
Re: fake news...next post...
@JB
Dec 21st, 2016 - 12:51 am - Link - Report abuse +1Ah, that makes more sense, and I'm sure taking bribes is a crime in every country.
How can Lula be the true owner of the properties if they aren't registered in his name? Is this like those companies that are owned by other companies and so on?
And about the polls, didn't they come out before it was decided that Lula is definitely ineligible? It seems to me that not publishing them would be more misleading. Although they included Temer in them and he was already barred for 8 years. In any case as long as they explain the situation I don't see a problem.
But either way they are not fake news, since they are real results of real polls. Fake news would be if someone made up numbers on the spot, and published them as true.
The PT needs to look to the future and promote younger leaders.
Dec 21st, 2016 - 01:55 am - Link - Report abuse -1DT
Dec 21st, 2016 - 03:08 am - Link - Report abuse -1“Fake news would be if someone made up numbers on the spot, and published them as true.” Like JB’s opinionated unsubstantiated diatribes.
@DT
Dec 21st, 2016 - 05:11 pm - Link - Report abuse -1The properties were all customized exclusively for Lula and his family ; they're still in the names of construction companies or in the name of “laranjas”, because when the PB scandal broke, they had to put their plans on hold...and start spinning the story that Lula didn't own any of them....only the country home in Atibaia is in a different situation : it was purchased (end 2010), ostensibly by 2 wealthy businessmen, very close friends of Lula's, and partners in some shady deals with one of his sons...but during a search of Lula's flat in SBCampo, the Federal Police came across a private document, signed by all parties, transferring ownership to Lula - so, to all effects, no deed was issued in Lula's name. When the Feds got wind of the 'triplex' flat in Guarujá (end 2014), Lula's wife was obliged to announce they were no longer interested in it - 'because it was too small and didn't suit their life-style'...after, and despite the fact (already proven in ample testimony given by several witnesses who cnfmd) the flat was totally reformed, as per Lula's wife's most extravagant wishes...they moved the pool, put in an exclusive elevator (from the garage, attending only Lula's flat on the 16th floor), spent US$ 120,000 on a gourmet kitchen, and filled it with expensive furnishings ; the flat was never offered publicly, only Lula and his family frequented it during its construction and later overhaul - always in the company of the president of OAS - and they want us to believe that Lula and his wife were merely consulted on the decoration so that OAS could then sell it to someone else ? how stupid do they think the Feds are ?
The polls came out last week...Lula became inelegible in July (1st indictment), based on the “clean slate” law, reinforced by the SC's decision 15 days ago, that a criminal defendant cannot become president. Knowing this, and still publishing the misleading polls, as far as I'm concerned is tantamount to fake news..
BT if what you claim is true then its cut and dried. Then the question is why not proceed to trial were the accused have an opportunity to defend themselves? Since this has not happened then it is left within the domain of public speculation. After all ”Justice delayed is justice denied, is a legal maxim meaning that if legal redress is available for a party that has suffered some injury, but is not forthcoming in a timely fashion, it is effectively the same as having no redress at all.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_delayed_is_justice_denied
Dec 22nd, 2016 - 11:46 am - Link - Report abuse -1Hepatia: Yes, you are right!
Dec 23rd, 2016 - 09:19 am - Link - Report abuse 0Please consider Dr. Marcelo Odebrecht!
In Brazil, trials are only for violent crimes, such as murder, rape etc...In this case, “white collar” crimes, it's up to the judge to decide after he's listened to all parties....Moro has shown extreme patience while dealing with Lula's defence, which now, having realized there is no possible defence, except lying, has resorted to trying to obstruct justice....it may delay the proceedings a bit, but will not change the outcome.
Dec 23rd, 2016 - 10:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@:O)) right, besides M.Odebrecht, perhaps the snotty PT senator for Rio, Lindberg Faria....he'd make a fine president... in VZ.
BT
Dec 23rd, 2016 - 11:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0A determination either before a judge sitting alone or including a jury is still a trial.
Moro has shown and continues to show extreme bias towards Lula, by his failure to recusal himself. After it was shown he was leaking information to the press.
So if this is allowed. I don’t believe his judgement would be accepted by those countries that use the common law. As Lula could not be tried in such adverse conditions within their legal systems. Moreover, it would be flagrant disregard of the following ratified agreement, both to the letter and the spirit.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
Part 3 (Articles 6 – 27) lists the rights themselves. These include rights to
procedural fairness in law, in the form of rights to due process, a fair and impartial trial, the presumption of innocence, and recognition as a person before the law (Articles 14, 15, and 16);
JB:
Dec 24th, 2016 - 12:08 pm - Link - Report abuse +1We forgot Collor, Maluf & Co. Also; Renan, A. Neves, and a host of others too can't be excluded from the list of the “Could-Be” Future Presidents of Brazil.
@??
Dec 24th, 2016 - 07:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Besides being highly unlikely, there is absolutely no proof that Moro leaked information to the press ? that version is mere speculation by Lula's defence lawyers, and further, the leak does not invalidate the truth...or perhaps it should because it shows the criminal he is ? And when has Lula been denied the right to defence ? Moro has shown extreme patience with Lula's lawyers, if for nothing else, to avoid their ridiculous allegations and to take the wind out of their sails.
And now that the US is talking about indicting him, the toad has the nerve to question the the right of a foreign country to accuse him...yet he thought it was quite OK to appeal to the UN, alleging he is being persecuted...If Lula weren't illiterate, he could write a best-selling autobiography, telling us about his criminal life ; he'd probably make more money than he received in bribes...
Anyway, at this point it's hardly worthwhile discussing the toad anymore, he's as good as politically dead, to the chagrin of his fanatical, ignorant supporters. I reckon he'll be in prison by end 2017.
JB
Dec 24th, 2016 - 10:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“There is absolutely no proof that Moro leaked information to the press” You’re so easy to expose as a liar, that information is verified and in the public domain.
“Judge Sergio Moro, the lead prosecutor in Operation Lava-jato, a two-year investigation into corruption at the state-run oil company, Petrobras, released nearly 50 audio recordings to the media” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/17/release-tapped-phone-calls-lula-rousseff-deepens-brazil-chaos
Moreover, the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ARTICLE 21 — RIGHT TO DEMOCRACY
So it’s confirmed Moro is both a prosecutor and the judge. Which is clear breach of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
“1. Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
So any attempt to constrain Lula from participating in the body-politic is also in conflict with accepted international norms.
Governments that subscribe to following, would view such a legal proceeding as grossly perverse.
“Magna Carta’s iconic reference to ‘the lawful judgment of his peers’ as a precondition for loss of liberty has helped in later centuries to entrench the right to jury trial in our pantheon of liberties.”…The Court of Common Pleas, who heard the jury’s appeal, was forced to acknowledge that the right to trial by one’s peers, as stated in Magna Carta, entailed a right to acquit, irrespective of the judge’s view that the defendant was guilty. - See more at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/17/release-tapped-phone-calls-lula-rousseff-deepens-brazil-chaos - See more at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/17/release-tapped-phone-calls-lula-rousseff-deepens-brazil-chaos
As you know; Brazil is precariously hanging on the:
Dec 25th, 2016 - 12:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0- Political Crisis,
- Economic Crisis,
- Ethical Crisis and
- Moral Crisis.
These crises are virtually impossible to recover from and a free fall is inevitable.
Ultimately, the masses will get what they really deserve. After all, THEY put their blind faiths in the crooks for leading their country [to doom]!
JB
Dec 25th, 2016 - 04:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0One line was in the wrong order and the Magna Carta had glitches, and cited the wrong reference so I’m reposting.
Moreover, the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ARTICLE 21 — RIGHT TO DEMOCRACY
“1. Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
So any attempt to constrain Lula from participating in the body-politic is also in conflict with accepted international norms.
Governments that subscribe to following, would view such a legal proceeding as grossly perverse.
“Magna Carta’s iconic reference to ‘the lawful judgment of his peers’ as a precondition for loss of liberty has helped in later centuries to entrench the right to jury trial in our pantheon of liberties.”…The Court of Common Pleas, who heard the jury’s appeal, was forced to acknowledge that the right to trial by one’s peers, as stated in Magna Carta, entailed a right to acquit, irrespective of the judge’s view that the defendant was guilty. - See more at: https://www.bl.uk/magna-carta/articles/magn
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