Federal judge to hear case against former Minister José Dirceu

Federal Judge Sérgio Moro accepted Tuesday (Sep 15) a case against sometime Chief of Staff José Dirceu for the crimes of corruption, money laundering, and criminal conspiracy. Apart from Dirceu, PT's (Workers' Party) former treasurer João Vaccari and 13 others became defendants under the 17th phase of Operation Car Wash.

The charge against the ex-minister was based on allegations made by executive Milton Pascowicht as part of a plea bargain deal.

In the ruling, the judge rejects the cases filed against Camila Ramos de Oliveira e Silva, Dirceu's daughter, who sold property to Pascowitch above market value, and against Daniela Leopoldo e Silva, the architect in charge of renovating Dirceu's house. The judge understands that neither were aware that the money they received had been embezzled from Petrobras.

Dirceu was arrested last month and is now at the Complexo Médico-Penal prison facility, in the metropolitan region of Curitiba. Roberto Podval, Dirceu's counsel, agrees with the judge's decision to dismiss the case against Dirceu's daughter, and said he will comment on the allegations made under plea bargain only after the process begins. The former PT treasurer's defense restated that all the funds raised by Vaccari were licit, and originated from duly registered bank deposits.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira