Brazil Judge Sentences Lula's Former Chief of Staff Dirceu to 23 Years in Prison

05/19/2016 - 09h36

Ex-minister José Dirceu, who was jailed nine months ago, was sentenced to 23 years and three months in prison for corruption, money laundering and conspiracy.

That is the largest sentence ever issued by Judge Sergio Moro, who handles all of the Lava Jato cases. Dirceu should remain in prison for at least 3 more years.

Ten other people also received sentences, among them João Vaccari Neto, the former Treasurer of the Workers' Party, and Renato Duque and Pedro Barusco, former director and former manager of Petrobras.

According to the state prosecutor, Dirceu and his brother Luiz Eduardo, sentenced to 15 years in prison, were partners of the consulting firm JD Consultoria, which accepted bribes from construction companies with Petrobras contracts for consulting, without providing any services.

The scheme involved the payment of R$ 11.9 million (US$ 3.4 million) to the Workers' Party member, tracing back to Petrobras contracts.

"What is most disturbing, however, in relation to José Dirceu", writes Moro "has to do with the fact that he accepted bribes even when he was awaiting judgement in the plenary of the Supreme Court for Criminal Lawsuit 470, with records showing that payments were made until 13/11/2013."

That is the judge says the Workers' Party member benefitted from the embezzlement while he was being tried for the Mensalão scandal.

José Dirceu's attorney, Roberto Podval, criticized Judge Sergio Moro's ruling and classified the decision as "disproportional". "A 23 year sentence for a 70 year old man is like a life sentence."

Translated by SUGHEY RAMIREZ

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	Heuler Andrey - 31.ago.15/AFP
	Brazilian former chief-of-staff (2003-2005), Jose Dirceu