Odebrecht Group Paid Out US$ 1 Billion in Bribes in 12 Countries, Says USA

12/22/2016 - 18h39

In documents made public on Wednesday (the 21st), the US Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed that the Odebrecht Group paid US$ 599 million (R$ 1,9 billion at today's exchange rate) in bribes to Brazilian politicians and public servants and more than US$ 439 million (R$ 1,4 billion) in 11 other countries.

According to the Americans, of the total paid out in Brazil, US$ 349 million was paid by construction company Odebrecht and US$ 250 million by Braskem, the group's petrochemical division.

According to the DOJ, the amounts paid by the construction company went to "more than 100 projects in 12 counties including Angola, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, The Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Mozambique, Panama, Peru and Venezuela".

According to the DOJ, in exchange for the bribes, Odebrecht made at least R$ 12 billion (US$ 3,8 billion at today's exchange rate) in additional revenue in contracts in these countries.

The kickback scheme, according to American authorities, was in vigor between 2001 and 2016.

The names of the countries and the amounts involved had been unknown here in Brazil until revealed by the DOJ.

The Federal General Prosecutor here in Brazil, which is conducting plea-bargain negotiations with Odebrecht employees, had never revealed these numbers or information, alleging the need for secrecy.

The detail regarding the countries and amounts is contained in a document entitled "Odebrecht Information", which is annexed to the agreement that was signed between Brazil and the United States on Wednesday (the 21st).

The document is signed by two investigators from the American government, Robert L. Capers, Attorney for the Justice Department, and Andrew Weissmann, head of the Fraud Section of the Criminal Division of the Justice Department.

American authorities have revealed that Odebrecht created a company called Smith & Nash Engineering Company, based in the British Virgin Islands, to carry out operations of the Structured Operations Division, portrayed by the Lava Jato (Car Wash) operation as an arm created by Odebrecht for the payment of bribes in many contracts.

"S&N was used by Odebrecht to carry out the bribery scheme, hide and mask improper payments made to benefit foreign public servants and political parties in many countries", declares the DOJ document.

Translated by LLOYD HARDER

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