Mensalão convict José Dirceu under house arrest

The Supreme Court granted a partial imprisonment benefit Tuesday (Oct. 28) to José Dirceu, a former Chief of Staff who was convicted for his role in the “mensalão” corruption scandal.

A Federal District Court reported Dirceu has been entitled to house arrest since October 20 having served one-sixth of his sentence – a legal condition to receive the benefit. He had been jailed since November 15 last year.

Legal provisions mandate that the remainder of the sentence in such cases should be served in an open prison where inmates return at night. Since there are no such facilities in the convict's location, the court rules that they must remain at home observing certain restrictions, including a curfew, travel restraints, and fixed address requirements.

The “mensalão” scandal was a large vote-buying scheme involving members of the then-ruling Workers' Party who bribed congressmen to favorably vote government proposals. It emerged during the administration of former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (2003-2010).

In the case trial, José Dirceu was found guilty of masterminding the scheme by the Supreme Court rapporteur for the case, Justice Joaquim Barbosa.

Translated by Mayra Borges