Lula's political "handy man" Dirceu, starts 31-year prison sentence for corruption

Lula's political “handy man” Dirceu, starts 31-year prison sentence for corruption

Monday, May 21st 2018 - 09:02 UTC

Full article 10 comments

Jose Dirceu, former chief of staff under ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, surrendered last Friday to start a nearly 31-year prison sentence for corruption, officials said. Dirceu lost an appeal against his conviction for money laundering, corruption and membership of a criminal group, at a court in Porto Alegre on Thursday. Read full article

Comments

Disclaimer & comment rules

Enrique Massot
Wow! Another one. Meanwhile, Michel Temer and Co. is allowed not only to run free--he is allowed to run the whole of Brazil while making sure most popular candidate Lula da Silva is kept surely behind bars until the October election is over.
May 22nd, 2018 - 01:03 am - Link - Report abuse 0
-+
DemonTree
Not all of the 'co'. Eduardo Cunha, former speaker of the lower house from Temer's party and one of the main people responsible for Dilma's impeachment, was jailed for 15 years back in March by Moro, who asked for him to be imprisoned even during his appeals.
May 22nd, 2018 - 08:45 am - Link - Report abuse +1
-+
:o))
Just when I suspected that EVERYONE is intelligent:
REF:
https://exame.abril.com.br/brasil/maradona-manda-apoio-a-lula-e-diz-que-ele-nao-fez-nada-de-errado/
May 22nd, 2018 - 09:35 am - Link - Report abuse +1
-+
Enrique Massot
@DT

Eduardo Cunha looks like a man who failed to cultivate the necessary loyalties and may have lost support from his natural allies, as a Reuters report briefly mentions.

In any event, the incredible process that is taking place in Brazil may include the odd guy who has ruffled feathers, or simply a token sacrifice adding some credibility.
May 23rd, 2018 - 12:54 am - Link - Report abuse -1
-+
DemonTree
Don't think Cunha has ruffled any feathers. He was pretty powerful and an ally of Temer - he helped Temer get the presidency if you want to look at it that way. It looks to me like there was simply too much evidence against him so his allies abandoned him to avoid being dragged down themselves.

But I don't think there is any big plan, or mastermind controlling what is happening it Brazil. Some people are trying to fight corruption, some people are trying to take advantage of that to eliminate political rivals, some are trying to help out their friends, some are just trying to stay out of jail themselves. In some areas the Congress has power - so they were able to oust Dilma as President and protect Temer. In others it's the courts, and the parties in power have influence but not control over their decisions.

Normal politics is messy and chaotic with lots of disagreement, and I don't think this is any different.
May 23rd, 2018 - 11:26 am - Link - Report abuse +1
-+
:o))
@DT:

REF: “Some people are trying ............... to stay out of jail themselves.”:

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M1YcsFAlvPQ/WHSkJrO4CdI/AAAAAAAA-rk/hucyQKGQnsMMq3SbEIjs5_4kaeODufExQCLcB/s1600/C1zDXGEUUAA5Mtb.jpg
May 26th, 2018 - 02:11 am - Link - Report abuse 0
-+
DemonTree
Lol, so true! Depending who wins there's a good chance Temer will be made a minister of some sort so he can stay out of jail, like Dilma tried to do for Lula. But who knows; he seems to have a lot of allies but then so did Cunha.
May 26th, 2018 - 06:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
-+
:o))
@DT:

REF: “But who knows....................... then so did Cunha”:

Cunha & the others [who are behind the bars] didn't divide their loot with the other crooks. So they are paying the price for not sharing. Whereas; to keep his neck out of the noose; Temer is doing everything imaginable; to share more than he possibly can!
http://www.101fm.com.br/101/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Editorial-coletti-240715-SITE101-NOVO-Largura-M%C3%A1x-1024-Altura-M%C3%A1x-768.jpg
May 26th, 2018 - 11:48 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
-+
DemonTree
Heh, maybe he is. Is there honour among thieves though?
May 27th, 2018 - 09:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
-+
:o))
@DT:

REF: “Is there honor among thieves”: There is - as long as “You scratch my back & I'll scratch yours” prevails. If not; the backs are at times used for stabbing! But finally; it mostly is a Happy-Ending and everyone is a Good Old Pal.

In any case; the imprisonment of the VIP-Crooks is for the namesake only - to “please” the ignorant masses + to create an illusion of Law+Order. They actually benefit by remaining imprisoned; by receiving more privileges - for keeping their lips sealed. What they reveal - the bare minimum - is just a tip of a Huge Iceberg of Illicit Wealth.
May 28th, 2018 - 10:19 am - Link - Report abuse 0
-+

Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!