Brazilian Contractor Apologizes for Corruption in Lava Jato Scheme

05/09/2016 - 10h29

On Monday, May 9, Andrade Gutierrez, the second biggest contractor in the country, is issuing an "apology to all Brazilian people" for the illegal actions in the public construction investigated by the Brazilian Federal Police's Lava Jato operation.

The title of the text is "Apology and Manifest for a Better Brazil," and it will be published in several newspapers, including Folha – Andrade Gutierrez says that it will make up for the damage and present eight "proposals for a better Brazil," referring to bidding processes and contracts for public construction.

On Thursday, May 5, federal Judge Sergio Moro, who is in charge of the Lava Jato operation in the city of Curitiba, ratified the leniency agreement with Andrade Gutierrez - a type of collaboration bargain for companies aiming to mitigate punishment, such as forbidding them from signing contracts with the government.

Andrade Gutierrez will pay R$ 1 billion (US$ 277 million) as compensation, the highest amount in the Lava Jato operation so far.

"We recognize the severe wrongdoings we carried out in recent years and, instead of denying them, we are assuming them publicly [...] It is necessary to learn with our mistakes and especially to take firm action so that they do not occur again," says the text.

Andrade Gutierrez also says that, since December 2013, it has been carrying out a "modern compliance model, based on a strict Ethics and Demeanor Code."

"We believe the Lava Jato operation will serve as a catalyst for forceful cultural changes which will transform the way business is done in the country. With this manifest, we hope that we are contributing to a major debate across Brazil on the construction of a better country, helping to eliminate some of its worst defects, such as the wasting of public money and impunity," says the Andrade Gutierrez text.

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO

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