MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Odebrecht's state of the art Division of Structured Operations, better known as “bribe department”
The Brazilian engineering group Odebrecht kept a secret communications system to discuss and arrange the payments of bribes. A detailed spreadsheet mapped out who got what, all veiled under a system of codenames, and overseeing it all, there was an entire department at Odebrecht whose only purpose was to ensure the graft ran smoothly. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesSimilarly to what occurred in Argentina, Temer and friends took power by denouncing corruption--and when the fan began to turn, the manure began sticking to many more than intended--including Temer and friends. Poetic justice if there ever was one.
Apr 17th, 2017 - 07:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Enrique, I think this is a positive thing. I love fans that blow manure. I hope they get to the end of the rabbit hole. Either in Brazil or Argentina. “Caiga quien caiga”!
Apr 17th, 2017 - 07:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Enrique?
Apr 18th, 2017 - 07:01 am - Link - Report abuse 0What are you saying, that politicians should not be investigated for corruption?
Wow, you are surely a true friend of the People! (Sarcasm)
On one hand, this is the “Organized Crime” at its BEST while on the other hand; the investigations/operations is a big FARCE; as long as the crooks have a “Special Privileged Protection”: HENCE;
Apr 18th, 2017 - 12:12 pm - Link - Report abuse +1- MANY will not even be imprisoned/investigated
- IF imprisoned; they'll enjoy a Five-Star Treatment
- A majority will escape with ALMOST all of their loot.
- They'll change laws/constitution for their own benefits
- Their stealing will get more difficult to prove
- Their offshore accounts/foundations will get fatter
- Obviously, they will remain “Politically Active”
- If at all they are replaced; another set of crooks will take their places.
In principle, DO NOT expect DRASTIC improvements!
Reekie,
Apr 18th, 2017 - 06:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0While I agree with 99% of your statement, would just like to add that Dilma's gross incompetence at the helm, was the main reason for her demise....because, if you believe otherwise, i.e., that she was incorruptible (which I don't, even for a second), then that is the only thing left to explain her impeachment....which by the result of her mandates, came way too late.
Jack Bauer
Apr 20th, 2017 - 10:35 am - Link - Report abuse 0My interest is legality, I don’t any political affiliation. Extremists of either end of the political spectrum intolerances I have no time for. Whether it be ‘revisionist history’, ‘political correctness’ or the fascist ideology that you embrace.
Brazil's corruption scandals reach Lula da Silva: ...
12 Jack Bauer; “..'Military dictatorship', ..history is showing,.. that it was good for Brazil
If necessary', Lula da Silva will…
18 Jack Bauer; ”........the 'mainstream' ? they are the bloody problem !”
Brazil supportive of Mercosur ...
14 Jack Bauer; ”.....but there is still one thing that can save Brazil...the Military...maybe someone who has done so before, and had nothing to fear from it.
UN Decolonization Committee supports Argentina's Falklands/Malvinas claims
18 Jack Bauer; “Screw the UN....just a bunch of commies... ”
Brazil waiting for 50bn dollars …
50 Jack Bauer; “Military taking over again, …for those who were Law-abiding citizens, there were no problems... they did it to prevent Brazil from being handed over to the communists. ... the Military , I hope, would be there again to save Brazil from complete chaos.”
Brazil remembers the 50th anniversary of the coupe…
15 Jack Bauer; “..Am pretty sure that military are accompanying all this … I hope they DO take over...”
“You’ll keep on with the same, stupid lies” More of your fevered imagination as you’ve never once been able show one instance of me lying. Whereas I have revealed your innumerable porkies. Just because you don’t like the facts I rely on doesn’t make them any less true. “Brazil supports Paris conference.., Rousseff's fate has been decided:, Lula faces new corruption .., Folha exposes Rousseff’s..”
Tinker Bell
Apr 22nd, 2017 - 10:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Nice speech, but your opinions make no difference at all and don't interest me....but glad to see that my comments still make you hysterical. Your comments above, as usual, just take what people say, out of context...but I couldn't care less, anyone following Brazilian politics can see through your crap.
Keep on embracing your “lulopetismo” philosophy, and showing your ignorance on what goes on in Brazil...why don't you take the time to listen to some of the depositions of the Odebrecht and OAS executives ? or, can't you handle the truth about your 9-fingered idol ? But don't worry, soon you'll be able to visit him at the Papuda.
Even Glen Greenwald has finally realized the piece of crap that Lula is...and no longer defends him.
Jack, if I recall aright you predicted this very thing...
Apr 23rd, 2017 - 10:25 am - Link - Report abuse 0https://panampost.com/karina-martin/2017/04/11/brazil-odebrecht-confessed-giving-former-president-lula-usd-4-million-bribes/
The Case for Lula He Deserves a Fair Trial, Not Persecution By Geoffrey Robertson
Apr 23rd, 2017 - 02:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“… Under Lula’s governance, Brazil became a major power, was awarded the honor of hosting the 2016 Olympic Games, and lifted 40 million of its people out of poverty. … He believes that the investigation is politically motivated, … 42.7 percent of Brazilians agree that Lula is being persecuted by the media and the judiciary in an effort to remove him from the 2018 presidential race. So far, prosecutors have found no hard evidence linking him to the alleged crimes, … yet they have used aggressive tactics, such as leaking recordings of wiretapped phone calls he made to his family, to publicly embarrass him … Lula’s case has raised crucial questions about Brazil’s judicial system: specifically, whether it can give Lula a fair trial and protect the due process rights …
Brazil maintains an antiquated system for investigating and judging criminal offenses, which it inherited from Portugal in the early nineteenth century (but which Portugal itself has long since abandoned). This system offers no separation between the role of the investigating judge, who supervises and approves the work of the police and the prosecutors, and that of the trial judge, who should hear cases without bias or preconceptions. In Brazil, both of these roles are played by the same person, even when, as in Lula's case, the investigation has included prejudicial findings against Lula by the judge. …
… prosecutors claimed that since leaving the presidency, he had received gifts from one of the cartel companies implicated in Operation Car Wash. …”
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/brazil/2017-04-19/case-lula
Lobbying after you have left office is not crime under ‘common law’ jurisdictions.
Tinker Bell
Apr 23rd, 2017 - 08:49 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“The Case for Lula He Deserves a Fair Trial, Not Persecution By Geoffrey Robertson
“… Under Lula’s governance, Brazil became a major power, was awarded the honor of hosting the 2016 Olympic Games, and lifted 40 million of its people out of poverty...”
Major power ?? 'Could' have, IF Lula had been well intentioned ; it is obvious he was never an ideologue of the 'left', all he wanted was to court the 'elite', the wealthy, become one of them (through any means) while he pretended he was helping the poor by throwing crumbs at them... Brazil became a house of cards, built on pseudo-progress, which just collapsed when the truth came out and the numbers spoke for themselves.....his so-called 'lifting' 40 million out of poverty was just a farce...at the first sign of crisis - caused by 14 years of PT administration - they all slipped back into poverty.....where was the solid foundation that the PT claims to have built in order to keep them out of poverty ?? Never existed.
All these corrupt politicians claim they're being politically persecuted when their crimes are discovered...strange isn't it, they must all be innocent, poor souls...
As to 'hard' evidence, there is plenty of it.....in the case of the 'triplex' in Guarujá, the prosecutors have original documents, from the time that Bancoop went bust (thanks to Vaccari Neto, PT's treasurer, who stole R$ 100 million) and transfered the obligation to OAS (Léo Pinheiro), proving that a different apartment in the building was Lula's , but was then switched to apartment 164A when OAS took over..
Another : According to the docs/ payments of the two identical gourmet kitchens, one in the tríplex, the other in Atibaia, they were ordered and paid for by Jonas Bittar (Lula's son's partner )...so, if the tríplex is not Lula's, just because it is not (yet) in his name, are we to believe that Jonas Bittar paid for triplex's kitchen (USD 100 Thousand) and then gave it as a gift to OAS ?? SUUURE..
Tweedledum
Apr 23rd, 2017 - 10:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“The prosecutors have original documents,Proving that a different apartment in the building was Lula's , but was then switched to apartment 164A when OAS took over..”
“A DOCUMENT ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENCY OF BRAZIL DEMONSTRATES THAT LULA DIDN’T BENEFIT FROM THE THREE-STORY APARTMENT IN GUARUJÁ April 3, 2017
The building was concluded in 2014 and up to this moment, 24 hearings were conducted and 73 witnesses were heard only regarding this case. None of them have made any declaration that may associate Lula with illegal acts practiced in the scope of Petrobras or with the ownership of the apartment in Guarujá. The testimonies have also clarified that the former President and his family have never had the property’s keys or spent a single night there.”
http://www.averdadedelula.com.br/en/2017/04/03/a-document-issued-by-the-presidency-of-brazil-demonstrates-that-lula-didnt-benefit-from-the-three-story-apartment-in-guaruja/
Again, the aspersions but there is no evidence against Lula.
Tinkerbell
Apr 23rd, 2017 - 11:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“A DOCUMENT ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENCY OF BRAZIL DEMONSTRATES THAT LULA DIDN’T BENEFIT FROM THE THREE-STORY APARTMENT IN GUARUJÁ April 3, 2017”
I don't know who allegedly issued such a document, but to say it was issued by the “Presidency of Brazil” is a long stretch....the 'Presidency of Brazil' has nothing to do with the investigation ....and second, anyone can issue a document claiming whatever they want...even you could issue one stating that you aren't an idiot.....get it ?
The President of the company that took over the building from Bancoop after it went bust, Leo Pinheiro, has stated categorically that the apartment was reserved for Lula and his family, and all events to do with the flat and Lula, all point in the same direction: the flat was being prepared as a 'gift' to Lula, or should I say, a thank-you bribe from OAS, for past favours...or do you think that Leo Pinheiro has no idea what he's talking about, and that OF COURSE, Lula is innocent as a new-born baby ?? It's a well known fact that Lula's wife, now deceased, had requested Leo Pinheiro to make sure the flat was ready so that they could stay in it over Christmas 2014...the condominium janitor knew of the intentions of the Silva family, which all went down the drain when the “Lavajato” shone its spotlight on the flat, and 'Maritha Letithia' was obliged to announce (Oct 2014) that the flat which had been reserved for them, that they had waited so patiently for while all the requested alterations were being carried out (including the 'gourmet' kitchen and a private elevator), no longer suited their needs ? you joking ? I'm not. Inform yourself better...and don't ignore the evidence just because you don't like it.
Just out of curiosity, do you think that the mess that Brazil is in has nothing to do with Lula, Dilma and the PT, and all the proven corruption that went on inside Petrobras and the BNDES ?? are you blind or just stupid ?
Tweedledum
Apr 23rd, 2017 - 11:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The posting and claim is made by an officer of the court. If it wasn’t true the prosecutor would have made a motion to suppress. So with his acquiescence I’m as close to the primary source, as is possible. If it’s acceptable for the prosecution then it's good enough for me.
So other than official statements your “It's a well known fact” is not evidence it’s just nonsense.
“That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.” Christopher Hitchens
“Just as we wouldn't try to prove a court case without presenting evidence to back up our claims, likewise in our writing, we need facts and testimony by reliable witnesses to convince the reader that what we say is true. Yet too many of us are like the prosecuting attorney who tries to send a man to jail by simply saying that he's a killer.
http://www.writing-world.com/fiction/evidence.shtml
REF: “The employees at Odebrecht may have had some fun with the nicknames, but their revelations so far show that they took corruption very seriously.”:
Apr 24th, 2017 - 10:27 am - Link - Report abuse 0BUT: https://i1.wp.com/www.humorpolitico.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/LISTA.jpg?resize=580%2C316
@imoyaro
Apr 25th, 2017 - 09:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You're right. Anyone, even someone with half-a-brain could see the writing on the wall...even though there are some idiots who see it, they either can't read or are unable to accept the truth....but they will always exist.
Tinker Bell
“an officer of the court....” very different to “THE PRESIDENCY OF BRAZIL” ....see what a idiot you are ? Besides, 'what officer' ?....only a judge can rule on the case...in this case, Sergio Moro. I repeat and recommend - watch the vídeos of the depositions....proof galore, which will be presented at the right moment, when the plea-bargains are accepted and homologated. Wait for Palocci's...think he'll want to face 20 years in jail just to defend the toad ?
All your quotes won't keep Lula safe......
One of your comments, way above, caught my attention for its innacuracy : “This system offers no separation between the role of the investigating judge, who supervises and approves the work of the police and the prosecutors, and that of the trial judge, who should hear cases without bias or preconceptions”.
The information supplied during the depositions of those who agree to a plea-bargain, is investigated by the PGR (Attorney General's office), NOT a judge....if the information proves reliable, it is homologated and then sent to the judge, in this case, the 1st instance Federal judge, Sergio Moro...he only bases himself on the evidence / proof submitted, then gives his sentence....he investigates nothing.
Another silly remark : “The testimonies have also clarified that the former President and his family have never had the property’s keys or spent a single night there.”
Of course not, accding to Leo Pinheiro, the whole thing blew up in their faces a few weeks before the keys would be handed over...and, pay-offs from PB, paid OAS for the flat. It is obvious that your idea of ”lobbying” is different to the traditional definition. Promoting corruption for self-benefit is not lobbying. Wake up !
Tweedledum
Apr 26th, 2017 - 12:07 am - Link - Report abuse 0“Which will be presented at the right moment” Thank you for the confirmation that in spite of your lengthy diatribes there is no actual evidence. Just the biased claims of the judge. “That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.” Christopher Hitchens
“One of your comments … for its inaccuracy” The comment was made by Cristiano Zanin Martins and Roberto Teixeira.
“The same judge who is invading his privacy in this case can have him arrested at any moment and will then automatically become his trial judge, deciding on his guilt or innocence without a jury” … namely the lack of provision for bail in Brazil and in Latin American countries; “this is a problem of pre-trial detention – the judge has power to detain suspects indefinitely in prison until they confess and plea-bargain. Obviously it leads to wrongful convictions based on confessions that are forced out of suspects because they want to get out of prison.” Geoffrey Robertson QC
https://www.theguardian.com/profile/geoffreyrobertson
Ignoring the Burden of Proof, … he who asserts must prove. Since you haven’t an adverse inference can be drawn.
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy; States of Affairs; First published Tue Mar 27, 2012
Philosophers connect sentences with various items, such as thoughts, facts and states of affairs. Thoughts are either true or false in an absolute sense, never both or neither.” So for all of the reasons above your claims are conclusively shown to be false.
@Tinker Bell
Apr 26th, 2017 - 07:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Cristiano Zanin Martins is the biggest buffoon I've ever seen (after you, that is).....pathetic defense...not surprising though, given that Lula's situation is indefensible. But what else do you expect Lula's lawyers to say ? After Lula is condemned I think Zanin's career is over...who in hell would ever want to hire an idiot like him ?
Not sure what you're problem is, but must be similar to Lula's lawyer's....in denial, despite the tons of proof.....and just been confirmed that Palocci is negotiating a plea-bargain....According to “Valor”, he apparently confided to one of the potential lawyers who might negotiate his plea-bargain, that he is “not going down alone”....one more witness to screw Lula, and a 'lot' more....the negotiation / acceptance of his plea-bargain depends upon his furnishing names , dates, illegal transactions and corruption of the PT leadership (over the last 10 years), as he suggested he could when being deposed by Moro, last week....... the bearded-toad's future ain't looking too good.
Strange, after having watched dozens of videos on the whistle-blowers' testimony, don't recall having seen anyone being “forced” , or coerced to confess what they didn't want to....
Why d'you even bother with your useless quotations, selected texts and “opinions” which are totally irrelevant to the 'Lavajato' investigation ? they don't prove a damned thing...in what way do you think they will help the toad ?
You insist you have no political affiliation, no preference for any particular ideology, yet your defence of Lula says otherwise...you obviously support corruption, and the total impunity of those who are up to their necks in it. I'm sure you'll keep on claiming the toad is innocent long after he's condemned...typical of the lefties, who preach correctness and tolerance but are the first to attack those who don't agree with them....that's you, numbnuts.
Tweedledum
Apr 26th, 2017 - 08:48 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“The tons of proof..” So you claim but are unable to substantiate. “That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.” Christopher Hitchens. “You insist you have no political affiliation” That’s correct, unlike you and your admiration for fascism. The only thing I’m intolerant of is the intolerant. You know the basic garden variety wannabe bully like you, Lula’s cause is not the first nor will it be the last one I’ve engaged in. “I’m sure you'll keep on claiming (he) is innocent long after he's condemned”. Not if he’s given a fair shake which hasn’t happened so far, and looks less and less likely. The only matters that I rely on, unlike you I’m able to produce the proof of.
Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!