Off-Book Payments Have Been the Reigning Model, Says Odebrecht Construction Company Patriarch

03/14/2017 - 12h03

Executive Emílio Odebrecht, the Patriarch of the Odebrecht Construction Company and Chairman of the firm's Board told the Judiciary that off-book transactions have been the "reigning model" in Brazil.

"It's always been there. Ever since my time, from the time of my father [Norberto] and Marcelo [Odebrecht] as well", he declared in testimony before Judge Sergio Moro.

According to Emílio, Odebrecht has donated to all political parties, on and off-book, many times using "a mix" of official and extra-official resources.

Emílio, who retired from the day-to-day operations of the company in 2001, declared that during his time at the construction company there was only one person responsible for managing off-book political contributions.

He gave his testimony for the defense team of his son Marcelo who was arrested in the so-called Car Wash Operation, in a case that accuses former minister Antonio Palocci of acting to favor the company's interests.

In the same case, former Justice minister José Eduardo Cardozo has said that off-the-books transactions are "a consequence of political tension".

Translated by LLOYD HARDER

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