Odebrecht Informers' Videos and Reports Implicate President Temer, Sen. Aécio Neves and Ex Presidents Lula and Rousseff

04/13/2017 - 12h39

Video recorded statements and written reports of informers of construction company Odebrecht implicate Brazilian President Michel Temer (PMDB), former presidents Lula and Dilma Rousseff, of the PT, Senator Aécio Neves (PSDB-MG), and dozens of other politicians.

The documents were disclosed by the Brazilian Supreme Court and laid the foundations for the investigations begun last week by Lava Jato rapporteur Edson Fachin. Lawsuits also were sent to other judicial instances involving those who do not have privilege of venue.

Marcelo Odebrecht, the former president of the group, said he had told Rousseff that Odebrecht paid bribes to the PT and the PMBD in contracts with Petrobras, and even sent emails to her. Marcelo Odebrecht says that these emails reached Rousseff. "I got these emails and sent them to the president."

Two plea bargains include details of cash payments for financial contributions demanded by Senator Aécio Neves.

Benedicto Júnior, also known as BJ, says he paid R$ 5.2 million (US$ 1,6 million) to a trusted advisor to Neves between 2007 and 2009 as payment for the participation in the construction of the new headquarters of the government of Minas Gerais, Neves's home state.

In a statement, Marcelo Odebrecht said that Lula was called "Amigo" (friend) internally. He also said that the company made a total of R$ 40 million (US$ 12,7 million) available in bribes for him at the end of his mandate. Emilio Odebrecht, the group's patriarch, says he told Lula that "his people had a 'big appetite." "They were changing from 'alligators to crocodiles."

The accused deny any illegal activities. President Temer says that the investigations will not "paralyze the government's actions."

The beginning of the inquiry is the first phase of the investigation.

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO

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