MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
The Bolsonaro family soap-opera which defeats Brazilian traditional media
The Bolsonaro family is using social media to present their life as a reality soap opera. The carefully crafted, highly-watched presidential telenovela (soap-opera) is setting the narrative and circumventing traditional media. On the sixth day, the Messia[s] reclines barefoot on the sofa of the Granja do Torto presidential residence. Next to him sits the faithful family dog, Beretta. His glasses casually perched upon his nose, the master browses social media on his smartphone. Read full article
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Disclaimer & comment rulesSUB: SOAP-OPERA
Jan 16th, 2019 - 10:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The decision to send in troops was taken by Bolsonaro's new justice minister, Sergio Moro
REF: http://en.mercopress.com/2019/01/05/troops-sent-to-contain-violence-in-northeast-brazil-criminal-gangs-challenging-bolsonaro
Shouldn't he try sending the Girl-Scouts instead?
:o))
Jan 17th, 2019 - 03:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You know, the more I read about him, the more I really appreciate the fortune Brazil has by electing a disrupter to bring Brazil away from the extreme left edge. Time will tell...
@Chicureo
Jan 17th, 2019 - 04:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0For ANY country, I'd prefer a govt. which is in the midway - neither at the EXTREME-Left nor at the EXTREME-Right. But an ideal situation may never exist on a Long-Term Basis, in a constantly changing world.
”BRASILIA (Reuters) - Rio de Janeiro state prosecutors said on Thursday they were temporarily suspending an investigation into suspicious payments handled by the former driver of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's son, Flavio, due to a Supreme Court ruling.
Jan 17th, 2019 - 09:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The Supreme Court ruling injunction was sealed, the prosecutors said in a written statement, and no details were immediately available about who had lodged it, or why.
The scandal arose after Brazil's Council for Financial Activities Control (COAF) identified 1.2 million reais ($305,000) that in 2016-17 flowed through the bank account of Queiroz. Some payments were made to the president's wife, Michelle Bolsonaro.”
https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2019-01-17/brazil-prosecutors-suspend-probe-into-funds-handled-by-ex-driver-of-bolsonaros-son
Funny....why does the press insist on refering to Flavio Bolsonaro's ex-aide, that sometimes acted as his driver, as “former driver of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's son”....Ah, I get it, silly me, the idea is to associate Flavio's ex-aide to the President....good try...
Jan 17th, 2019 - 10:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Besides. the 1,2 million is really only half....600,000 in, 600,000 out....but to the press, 1.2 sounds better.
@Terence Hill
Jan 17th, 2019 - 10:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I simply can't understand your frustrations against a bit of corruption! Afterall, they are ALL “in place” definitely not because they are patriots but because of the huge benefits, privileges & immunities - generously offered by the population itself - which permit them to steal the public funds till their heart's content. So wake up!
A good government is the only one which when in power, increases your opportunities of leading a better Quality of Life [get-rich-quick]. If they are corrupt - thoroughly corrupt - so be it! Shedding crock-tears for the suffering masses is a sheer waste of time. PERIOD!
@JB
Jan 18th, 2019 - 12:13 am - Link - Report abuse 0So stealing only $600,000 is okay? And why wouldn't they connect this guy to the president? How much power does Flavio have alone?
@DemonTree
Jan 18th, 2019 - 05:30 am - Link - Report abuse 0REF: So stealing only $600,000 is okay?
As far as I'm concerned; YES, OF COURSE!
“why”?
As replied above, to @Terence Hill [REF: “Good Government”] - THAT's why!
BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's supreme court on Thursday ordered Rio de Janeiro state prosecutors to temporarily suspend a probe into suspicious payments made by the former driver of President Jair Bolsonaro's son, whose lawyers requested the injunction.
Jan 18th, 2019 - 10:44 am - Link - Report abuse 0According to a copy of the ruling by Supreme Court Justice Luiz Fux seen by Reuters, Flavio Bolsonaro's lawyers argued that, as a senator-elect, he now enjoys certain legal protections, including that any case involving him should only be decided by the top court.
“There is no way to agree with this decision, which contradicts the Supreme Court's own precedent,” federal prosecutor Deltan Dallagnol, who leads Brazil's “Car Wash” graft probe, wrote on Twitter.
Dallagnol added that he expected Fux's decision would soon be overturned by another Supreme Court justice.”
https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2019-01-17/brazil-prosecutors-suspend-probe-into-funds-handled-by-ex-driver-of-bolsonaros-son
@DT
Jan 18th, 2019 - 06:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The COAF detected atypical financial movement by just about all members of Rio's State legislature (ALERJ) in 2018...As it happens, Flavio's ex-driver's financial movement in 2018, is one of the smallest...and suspicious as it sounds, it was his driver's, not Flavio's - nothing links Flavio to it, at least not up to this moment. And pls note, I'm not suggesting it shouldn't be investigated, nor satisfactorily explained.
How much power does Flavio have alone ? as a state deputy in Rio (2018), he had as much power as any of the other members of the house....Don't know if he headed any special committees, which might have given him 'more' power..
And, Queiroz has said the $ 600,000 refers to small biz transactions he and his fmly frequently carried out...not illicit funds.
I expect the truth will come out, but looks like you have “already” tried and condemned Queiroz, Flavio, and Bolsonaro (=> 'So “stealing” only $600,000 is okay?')....
But what I'm getting at is why the press is only focusing on Queiroz, and none of the others, whose movements were far larger....one, belonging to a PT deputy, was R$ 49 million....you didn't read about that anywhere, did you ? Probably not, because to attack the President - the “far right-wing” president - or his son, gets far more attention than going after the other members of the ALERJ. Where is the 'impartiality' ?
@JB
Jan 18th, 2019 - 09:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0They're focusing on Queiroz because they can link him to the President, and the President is the biggest fish to fry. Same reason they focused on Lula before, no?
But if the money is found to be a bribe, sounds like it might have just been Flavio's on his own account, since it's a fairly small amount. And I wasn't trying to suggest anyone is definitely guilty, just that I don't think double or half the amount makes any difference to the severity if it's a crime.
“Allies and supporters of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro are questioning his commitment to fighting corruption as questions mount about irregular payments in his inner circle just weeks into his presidency.
Jan 19th, 2019 - 02:34 am - Link - Report abuse 0... While it's not clear what happened and no charges have been filed, one possibility is a scheme that is common in Brazilian politics. It works like this: a lawmaker hires several people on the condition of getting a kickback from their salaries. Before being elected to the Senate, Flavio was a state deputy in Rio de Janeiro.
The financial regulator has said that many of the payments to the driver, Fabricio Queiroz, came on pay days for people on Flavio Bolsonaro's payroll.
Several anti-corruption crusaders took to Twitter to express discontent with the situation.
Janaina Paschoal, a state deputy whose name was floated as a possible vice presidential pick for Bolsonaro, tweeted that the justice's decision was ”erroneous.“
Kim Kataguiri, a leader from another rightist street movement wrote that Flavio Bolsonaro's request, ”has a bad smell,“ and was ”at minimum, suspicious.“
Local media reported growing discomfort among the military members of the administration, an influential force in Bolsonaro's government.
”I don't want that crap political immunity,“ Bolsonaro ranted in a 2017 YouTube video, with Flavio by his side.
”The honeymoon could already be over with Bolsonaro“ said Mauricio Santoro, a political scientist from the State University of Rio, referring to the high hopes Bolsonaro's voters have for ending Brazil's endemic corruption. ”It's a big problem and the family is dealing with it the worst way possible,“ he said, referring to the Supreme Court request and the lack of concrete explanation.”
https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/business/article224777110.html
REF: “Bolsonaro family soap-opera”:
Jan 19th, 2019 - 05:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The population elected him - very enthusiastically too - to take The Corruption to the “Next Level”. So now, why should they be grambling - unnecessarily?
@DT
Jan 20th, 2019 - 10:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Ok, they are both 'big' fish .....but the motives are different. They are focusing on Bolsonaro because they consider him the 'enemy', and they focused on Lula, to 'defend him'....that is, when they 'drifted' from, or didn't stick to the simple facts...
Regarding Flavio B and his driver, don't know if they were in cahoots, but sh*t is surfacing and I expect it will start stinking pretty bad, very soon...for both of them.
@JB
Jan 21st, 2019 - 12:34 am - Link - Report abuse 0Lol what? The press weren't defending Lula, exactly the opposite. Maybe a few sites like the ones Terry loves to quote, but most of them were concentrating on him despite there being plenty of other politicians implicated. There was even a minor scandal over Reuter's reporting, when they accidentally left in a comment from the editor asking whether they should remove a line from the article that suggested corruption in PB pre-dated Lula's presidency.
And didn't Flavio get his case suspended so it won't be investigated further? Another example of abuse of priviledges.
RE Drugs, from VZ in conflict of powers:
I have always heard that treating addicts is useless if they aren't really committed, and often unsuccessful even then. So I don't see the point in wasting money. I seriously think if they are capable of functioning, the government should just give them drugs or let them buy them cheaply and legally. I know it seems immoral, but it would be much cheaper than sending them to jail, and they would have no need to commit crimes to fund their habit. Plus the medical costs would be very much reduced.
And I think you are wrong to blame Bolivia for Brazil's problems. It is the US that has transferred its drug problem to Latin America. Given the huge market they represent, it's inevitable that someone will try to supply it, and that money will flow in as a result. But to oblige the US, you have agreed let criminals have all the money, feeding the gangs and making them more and more powerful, to the point they have taken over areas of Mexico from the government. Unfortunately, neither Mexico not Brazil have the power to demand anything of the US, or damage them with sanctions.
And if you don't believe that, at least you must see that if Brazil does succeed in clamping down on the gangs by harsh methods, it will just move the problem to another country. How is that any more neighbourly?
@DemonTree / @JB
Jan 21st, 2019 - 07:07 am - Link - Report abuse 0It's just the beginning and I heard that many of the Team-Mates are already linked [or were involved with] to one scandal or another but at least, the expectations ARE high:
https://www.otempo.com.br/image/contentid/policy:1.2124230:1547939589/WhatsApp%20Image%202019-01-19%20at%2021.10.14.jpeg
@DT
Jan 21st, 2019 - 07:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“The press weren't defending Lula, exactly the opposite”........I suppose in 2005/2010 you followed the news on Lula, and paid attention to the opposition in Congress. Were you in a situation to see what happened and what the press reported, and what it ommitted ?
Like now, despite Flavio Bolsonaro being only one of the 20 State Congressmen denounced for atypical financial movement (2018), by the COAF, the other 19 are being ignored by the press...including the petista whose aide moved R$ 49 million. Sorry, you have no idea how the press was 'nice' to Lula....they didn't even demand his impeachmt because of the 'mensalão'.
Flavio asked his case be suspended until the STF recess ends 1st Feb., to avoid giving ammunition to the opposition, who are just speculating...on that date it is likely to be sent to 1st instance federal court, and where I hope, are all the other 19 cases.
Yday Flavio explained the movement....sounds plausible....If he's innocent he'll have the chance to prove it.
Re Bolivia and the drugs, regardless of wanting to argue it's the US's fault, the fact remains that Bolivia plays an important part in the problem...AND, it's far easier to stop the problem at its source, than stop it's consequences...Bolivia's refusal to do anything about it, which they could if they wanted to, afaic, needs to be punished.
It's BOL that needs to sanctioned by BZL and the US. Not sanction the US.
The Mexican cartels are a whole different story and should be treated like terrorists. They kill far more than terror.
Regarding the possibility of transferring the problem to some other country, “how is that neighbourly” ??? Besides trying to eliminate the source of the drugs, it's up to each country to look after their own problems....but you think it would not be neighbourly of Brazil to clamp down on drugs if it meant the gangs would move to say, Argentina ?...flawed logic.
I wasn't talking about 2005/2010 - as I'm sure you know - but how the press treated Lula during the Lava Jato investigation. In that case too, many politicians were implicated, some others also convicted, but the press focused mainly on Lula.
Jan 21st, 2019 - 11:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Lula's explanation was also plausible, so I wouldn't put much stock in that. And 'to avoid giving ammunition to the opposition' makes no sense. If Flavio's innocent he should want it cleared up ASAP, but I'll be very surprised if he doesn't use his immunity to get the case delayed as long as possible.
Re Bolivia, AFAIK they aren't making the problem any worse, since the legally grown coca crop is used within the country, and the illegal production is actually lower than before. But the trouble with attacking the source of the drug is that with demand so high and people willing to pay almost any price, you will always find someone to supply it.
“it's up to each country to look after their own problems”
Well then, why should Bolivia ban coca leaves that they have used perfectly happily since forever because the US or Europe has a problem with cocaine? Especially when the ban wasn't even working!
And yeah, I think it would be bad for your neighbours if Brazil succeeded in clamping down, because it doesn't solve the problem, just moves it elsewhere. Then if they clamp down in turn, it comes back to Brazil. In the long term no one is really better off.
Which is why I think we should try something different to what we've been doing for the last 50 years - a war that's seen millions of people dead and millions more in jail, while the drugs are as easy to get hold of as ever. It's the definition of insanity to do the same thing over and over and expect different results.
@DT
Jan 22nd, 2019 - 06:19 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Well, if the most of the press treated Lula like a criminal after 2014, he deserved it....who'd be stupid enough to defend him - other than the PT and left-wing outlets - inview of the evidence ?
Lula had no explanation for anything...well, he did - he blamed his dead wife (claimed he did not know what she was up to (triplex 'n country home). He never explained anything, he simply insisted he was innocent, knew nothing about anything, and said all his once 'great' friends are liars.....just like “João de Deus' ” defence .
Flavio has explained tt the financial movement was from the purchase, 'n later sale of real-estate, having received the payment n installments, and part in cash. Until the Rio prosecutors prove otherwise, that is the truth. And he asked the STF to suspend the proceeding for about 3 weeks, until the STF reconvenes and decides who will be in charge of investigating, 'n prosecuting, if the case. His current immunity does not protect him, as all this occurred before being elected senator.
I'm not saying BOL should 'ban' coca leaves - am saying that it they grew just enough for local consumption, good 'n well, but Morales, knowing well what's going on, does nothing. Whether illegal production is lower than before,, is neither here nor there, it just affects the price...and the deaths carry-on.....funny, here am I, defending the interests of people I don't even know, will never know, and there are you, defending the production of coca leaves and cocaine exports as if it wasn't a problem. I know that as long as there's a market, they'll carry-on, so how to combat this, has to be thought out.
Well, reckon I must disagree with you....because u think it transfers the problem...not if there is effective international cooperation....it's no longer just a 'local' thing...
Well, although I have no power to change things, I'm all ears to know your sugestions on how the drug problem should be dealt with.
PS : practical ones, that can actually work.
@Jack Bauer
Jan 22nd, 2019 - 08:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0REF: I'm all ears to know your suggestions on how the drug problem should be dealt with. PS : practical ones, that can actually work.
LEGALIZE DRUGS? [Corruption is ALMOST getting legalized, ANYWAY!].
JB
Jan 22nd, 2019 - 08:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“Who'd be stupid enough to defend him” Apparently, the rest of the world outside of your provincial circle.
“Yet crucially, there is no evidence that Lula either owned or lived in the triplex at any point. Beyond the suspicious activity with apartment 164-A, the court cited no evidence that directly implicated Lula in a quid pro quo with OAS. Instead, it argued that because it is known that OAS was taking kickbacks from Petrobras, and Lula was the sitting president at the time, it is reasonable to infer that he was aware and complicit. This is, needless to say, not sufficient evidence to convict someone beyond a reasonable doubt. And indeed, according to several analysts, no European or American court would have ruled to convict based on the evidence presented”
http://www.brownpoliticalreview.org/2018/03/brazils-democratic-woes-anti-elitism-reemergence-illiberalism/
Lula's explanation was that OAS offered them the triplex instead of the simple flat Marisa Leticia originally bought, and that's why they went to view it. While there they pointed out some problems such as a leaking swimming pool and poor decor, which OAS decided to fix in the hope of persuading them to buy. After considering for a while they decided against it, and the company returned ML's investment. Sounds dubious, but not completely implausible.
Jan 22nd, 2019 - 11:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0And I'd say the same about Flavio's account. Why would you arrange payment through an employee's account, especially in instalments, especially in cash, unless there was something dodgy going on? And wasn't he a Deputy or something in Rio before becoming a Senator? Doesn't that give him immunity too?
“Whether illegal production is lower than before, is neither here nor there, it just affects the price”
I thought lowering it was what you wanted? Morales IS doing something or it would be a lot higher, but no country has managed to get it to zero, or even close. I'm not defending cocaine exports as if it wasn't a problem, I really think the current war on drugs is making things worse and hurting the interests of those people you mentioned. As for my suggestions, I'd say the important thing to realise is that we can never get rid of drugs completely. A practical plan is one that minimises the harm they do firstly to society and then to individual people. My suggestion would be something like the 3rd appproach in this article:
https://www.vox.com/2016/4/25/11445454/end-war-on-drugs
Obviously this would require international cooperation as it's a radical reversal from current policy. It might be better to start by legalising/decriminalising soft drugs like pot and see how that goes - fortunately, America seems to be well on the way there.
DAVOS, Switzerland — The opening day of the World Economic Forum looked like it had the potential for excitement. Jair Bolsonaro, making his debut trip abroad as Brazil’s president, was slated to unveil his vision for a “new Brazil“ before the assembled elites. Given the absence of President Trump and other prominent Western leaders, the far-right Bolsonaro, a former military officer known for his fiery and often-offensive rhetoric, seemed like one of the star attractions.
Jan 23rd, 2019 - 11:51 am - Link - Report abuse 0But his speech underwhelmed. Bolsonaro spoke for barely more than 10 minutes, delivering an address observers characterized as “lifeless” and “wooden.” Like every other world leader who comes to Davos, he declared his country “open” for business, but offered little information about the reforms he hoped to enact. He simply invoked the smarts of Finance Minister Paulo Guedes, a University of Chicago-trained economist, and touted his administration’s zeal to cut back the “apparatus of the state” and reduce taxes.
“Bolsonaro’s bizarre, tepid and unfocused speech is a very troubling sign,” observed Oliver Stuenkel, a professor of international relations at Fundação Getulio Vargas in Sao Paulo. “Why hasn’t the all-powerful Minister of Finance written a longer, more detailed and more adequate presentation? Why waste such a unique opportunity?”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2019/01/23/brazils-new-president-fizzles-his-overseas-debut/?utm_term=.0a40772a801d
@Terence Hill:
Jan 23rd, 2019 - 02:17 pm - Link - Report abuse +1REF: Bolsonaro spoke for barely more than 10 minutes
THAT long? Don't you think that 10 Solid Minutes is too much of [very VERY expensive] NOTHING at all?
He could at least have said that the population is so well armed now; that it doesn't even need any police/army protection:
https://i1.wp.com/www.humorpolitico.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/adnael-10.jpg?w=664&ssl=1
@:o))
Jan 23rd, 2019 - 04:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0What can't be said in 10 minutes is probably not worthwhile listening to anyway.....but of course, Terry is upset over what was NOT said. Whatta twat ...
Replying to my question “Who'd be stupid enough to defend him” (Lula), besides confirming “the rest of the world” would be stupid enough, he forgets the PT, left-wing press 'n of course, last but not least, himself.
Curious fact : “El Pais”, Spain's commie rag, published the exact same artice in Brazil 'n in Spain, with 2 totally different headlines...in Brazil : “O breve discurso do Bolsonaro decepciona em Davos”; in Spain: “Bolsonaro anima a los ejecutivos de Davos a invertir en el nuevo Brasil”.. (???)
@DT
“Lula's explanation was OAS offered the triplex instead of the simple flat Marisa Leticia originally bought, 'n that's why they went to view it”.....if you prefer to believe Lula's version, ok, but it's just 'conversa p´ra boi dormir' (or, BS). It ignores the fact Marisa ordered the reforms (she wanted), or that she visited the flat many times in 2014 to supervise the work ...so if later the royal couple didn't want the flat, it would be OAS's problem ? The idea that OAS would spend that kind of money on a reform just to “try to persuade” the royal couple to buy it, is naive. And one question: why would OAS feel compelled to attend Marisa, if it weren't in exchange for previous favours (overpriced PB contracts, bribes). Believe what you want, but there's a LOT you don't know.
Flavio made 48 deposits of R$ 2,000 to his accnt...it's normal to get part cash payments for real-estate...not suspicious. He only has immunity for crimes committed during current mandate (Senator).
Re Morales, what I would like to see, is irrelevant, it's simply a matter of offer 'n demand.
Drugs, looks like short of legalizing marijuana ‘n going easy on users, and equalling trafficking to murder, nothing is going to work. Option 3 - legalize drugs, tighten regulations -ok, but when sh*t happens (under the influence) ?
Jack Bauer aka Proof-less and Truth-less
Jan 23rd, 2019 - 06:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“Terry is upset over what was NOT said.” I'm just the messenger, dipshit and I'm reminded that “Every nation gets the government it deserves.” Joseph de Maistre
@TH
Jan 23rd, 2019 - 06:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You got that right...you are always ONLY the messenger....never an original idea....always 'sucking' someone else's....when not literally 'sucking' someone........
But if you must suck, at least get the story right...
“I'm reminded that “Every nation gets the government it deserves.” Joseph de Maistre”
And who asked, who cares ??
Jack Bauer aka Proof-less and Truth-less
Jan 23rd, 2019 - 06:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“You are always ONLY the messenger..” Well it's more preferable than being a lying fascist, one trick pony like you are.
“always 'sucking' ” Don't get rattled you've got your bosom bud attached to your nipple.
“Who asked ...” I'm a self-starter I don't require anybodies say so.
El Pais isn't a commie rag, but those different headlines are pretty funny. Normally you see different newspapers give the same story a little spin in this way, not the same one.
Jan 23rd, 2019 - 11:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Re Lula's triplex, if the changes were stuff that would increase the flat's value in general, and OAS were hopeful that Lula would buy it, they might have been willing to pay for the upgrades. I mean, this eager-to-please attitude would still be an attempt to curry favour, but not necessarily an actual bribe.
“it's normal to get part cash payments for real-estate”
Why would anyone pay in part cash? It's so inconvenient for large sums of money, and if it's only part, that implies they do have some other way to pay. At least if Flavio has no immunity, we can hope to see his case resolved quickly.
RE drugs, ”ok, but when sh*t happens (under the influence) ?”
It already does, and crimes committed under the influence are still crimes (same as with alcohol). The risk with legalisation is that drug use becomes more common, but there are ways to mitigate that, as we've seen with smoking. At any rate it's good to look at alternatives and recognise that they exist, rather than assuming the current way is the only way. Canada has just legalised marijuana, and Uruguay did it in 2017, so we can see how it works out for them.
“you've got your bosom bud attached to your nipple.”
Ahahaha, so THAT'S what he meant...
@JB
Jan 23rd, 2019 - 11:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0REF: “what was NOT said”:
What will NEVER be said by ANY govt:
- Prohibiting the Political-Immunities/Privileges
- Making the crooks return the Stolen-Wealth
- Getting rid of the benefits & titles/posts of the past & current parasites [politically active or not]. Once a crook; ALWAYS a crook!
@DT
Jan 25th, 2019 - 07:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Why one headline in Brazil, criticizing Bolsonaro, 'n another in Spain, completely different ?
Not serious.
You can speculate on the triplex all you want, looking for reasons to excuse Lula, to believe OAS did everything only in the “hope” of selling it to him - doesn't hold water. Sounds like a 'quid pro quo' for one simple reason : because it was.
Anyway, that's not how real estate works here (or anywhere else I reckon) ; under normal cirumstances, any construction company will only agree to significant modifications to the floor plan and upgrade the standard finishing, after the flat is paid for, or has had a least a substantial down-payment....as testified by Leo Pinheiro 'n other executives.
And besides, you are disqualifying all the evidence : photos, e-mails, testimony of OAS executives, engineers, workers, condo staff... who all said it was “Lula's” flat. The fact he couldn't move in, to spend Christmas (2014), as planned by Marisa, is another story.
Unfortunately, sitting in the UK, being misled by your leftist press, it's doubtful you'll get the true picture...and to keep on defending him based on his denial, doesn't stick. He denied any knowledge of the 'mensalão' ...despite the fact Jose Dirceu, one of his closest allies, was the master mind who put the plan in action...Why d'you think he'd change his strategy in the next corruption scheme ?
Cash payments for real-estate is common here....when I sold a flat 16 years ago, I took part in cash....that is 'usually' done to reduce the official transaction value, to pay less tax. In buying/ selling 2nd hand cars, it's normal.
Regardless of the lack of immunity, if Flavio can show he sold his apartment under the conditions he claims he did, as already confirmed by the buyer, they'll have nothing to convict him on...
@TH
Lula is anxiously waiting for you to visit him in CBA, so you can 'attach' your lips to his knob, aka, 'sucking'...which you ARE an expert on...literally 'n figuratively.
@JB
Jan 25th, 2019 - 11:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I wonder if they have different editors for the two editions, with different views? Otherwise it's difficult to understand their decision.
As for Lula, I'm not saying he must have been innocent, just that he did have an explanation. And ML did have a significant down payment with the company. Besides, in the video from the MST occupation you can see there is no distinctive decoration and the kitchen looks very ordinary.
“that is 'usually' done to reduce the official transaction value, to pay less tax.”
If that was the reason, then Flavio was engaging in tax fraud. That's not exactly better. According to FdSP, the original sellers of the flats have both complained they were defrauded by the agent. Could have been nothing to do with F, but who knows?
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