The truth is murky and, like corruption in Brazil more generally, maddeningly complex
Save time by listening to our audio articles as you multitaskYet opponents prefer another superlative for the ex-president. He is “the biggest corruptor in Brazilian history”, Ciro Gomes, a centre-left foe, said last year. Mr Bolsonaro and his son Flávio, a senator, who are themselves mired in allegations of graft, refer to him as “the nine-fingered thief” .
The public were furious. The probe entangled hundreds of businessmen and politicians. It extended to 11 countries and touched a dozen current or former Latin American heads of state, including Lula. He was convicted of accepting bribes in the form of a beachfront apartment and renovations on a country house, neither of which he owned. In an investigation which recouped over $5bn in stolen money, there were far more “vulgar” and “flagrant” crimes, notes one Lava Jato prosecutor.
Another case involved a country house in Atibaia owned by business partners of another one of Lula’s sons. Odebrecht, a construction company, claimed it paid to renovate it. Testimonies and court documents placed Lula and his belongings at the site. Someone at the institute which bears Lula’s name received updates by email about maintenance issues, skunk-traps and peacock chicks.
Yet despite the headlines, Lava Jato did not end impunity in Brazil. It investigated and prosecuted individuals, partly by using similar methods to American anti-corruption task-forces, such as plea bargaining. But it was unable to root out a culture of corruption. The powerful fought back. Blunders and lapses by prosecutors, including Mr Moro, have led to hundreds of convictions being overturned. Political meddling in the investigation has weakened trust in the justice system.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ukraine war: The saviour of Mariupol - how fearless mechanic rescued 180 people in besieged cityIt started with a Russian artillery shell that brought the house down on top of them.
Read more »
It-Girls Are Obsessed With This Throwback Trouser TrendThe trend for functional trousers is taking us back to the All Saints days.
Read more »
‘How we swapped Penge for Pangbourne — without any regrets’Anne Cullen and her son Xavier left London for Berkshire last year, and haven’t looked back.
Read more »
Russian spooks are being kicked out of Europe en masseIt will be difficult for Vladimir Putin’s intelligence services to steal secrets in Europe
Read more »
A Russian debt default looks almost inevitableNot everyone is losing out, however. Some traders are reportedly profiting from the country’s distressed debt
Read more »