Courts Order Car Wash Defendants to Pay R$18 Million in Compensation

04/23/2015 - 08h46

Federal judge Sergio Moro has ruled that six of the defendants under investigation in the Federal Police's Operation Car Wash should pay compensation to Petrobras of at least R$18 million (US$6 million).

The sentence refers to the crimes of money laundering and conspiracy. According to the Public Prosecutors Office, public money was diverted from construction of the Abreu e Lima refinery in Pernambuco, by means of over-invoiced contracts.

The project, which was initially estimated at R$2.5 billion (US$831 million), eventually ended up costing more than R$20 billion (US$6.6 billion).

Moro ruled that the compensation should be paid by Márcio Bonilho, a partner at the company Sanko Sider, as well as Waldomiro de Oliveira, Leonardo Meirelles, Leandro Meirelles, Pedro Argese Júnior and Esdra de Arantes Ferreira, who are accused of being part of a conspiracy led by currency dealer Alberto Youssef.

On top of the compensation, the five defendants who did not cooperate with the police in return for reduced sentences will also face prison terms. Bonilho and Oliveira were both sentenced to 11 years and 6 months.

Leonardo Meirelles (5 years and 6 months), Leandro Meirelles (6 years and 8 months), Pedro Argese Júnior (4 years and 5 months) and Esdra de Arantes Ferreira (4 years and 5 months) will go to prison under a semi-open arrangement, meaning they are able to work outside prison during the day.

Youssef and ex-Petrobras director Paulo Roberto Costa also received prison sentences. Costa received 7 years and 6 months, while Youssef will serve 9 years and 2 months. They have the right to appeal.

Translated by TOM GATEHOUSE

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	Pedro Ladeira - 27.nov.2014/Folhapress
	Márcio Bonilho, partner at Sanko Sider, was sentenced to 11 years and 6 months in prison