Former Chief of Staff asks judge to answer charges at liberty

During testimony at a Federal Court on Friday (Jan. 29), former Chief of Staff José Dirceu asked Federal Judge Sérgio Moro to answer the charges about his role in the Petrobras corruption scandal at liberty. Dirceu said he will cooperate with the investigations and will not flee the country. The former minister's statements were publicized by the Federal Court Monday (Feb. 1st).

“I can't accept being in prison. I'm always at the Court's disposal. I'll admit what I have to admit. I say I'm innocent,” the former Chief of Staff said. He challenged the allegations in the plea bargain statement implicating him in the scandal and said he was worried about a “degeneration” in the practice.

“Content from the plea bargain statement is leaking and this is exposing me. I must challenge these plea bargain statements, I think they're worthless,” Dirceu told the judge. He also said he was wrong in not reporting loans he raised to renovate a house and an apartment in his income tax filing.

On Judge Moro's orders, Dirceu has been remanded in custody for his implication in Operation Car Wash since August 2015. Besides him, another 15 suspects have been indicted by the Federal Prosecutor's Office on charges of corruption, money laundering, and criminal conspiracy. Dirceu's defense contends the complaint is defective for lack of evidence.

During his testimony, Dirceu also evoked his conviction under Criminal Case 470, known as the “mensalão” scandal, a cash-for-vote scheme in which politicians received kickbacks to vote certain measures in Congress during the administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. “I am innocent of that. I appealed to the International Court in Costa Rica.”

Dirceu's defense asked the Supreme Court Monday (1) to pardon their client and end his seven-year, 11-month prison sentence in the Mensalão case. The lawyers claim that he is eligible to the benefit since he was sentenced to less than eight years, he served over a sixth of his jail term, and is under house arrest.

Petrobras

In his testimony to Moro, Dirceu denied responsibility for the appointment of Former Petrobras Services Director Renato Duque, another defendant in Operation Car Wash. The former minister said his name was used in the company, but denied ever receiving kickbacks over contracts with Petrobras or authorizing anyone to act on his behalf. His name was brought up in the plea bargain statements of lobbyists Milton Pascowitch and Júlio Camargo under Operation Car Wash.

According to the former Chief of Staff, all appointments for top-rank jobs in public office were referred to the Chief of Staff, who would consider them against a number of criteria, including their profile, technical ability, and political background. “The appointment of Renato Duque came from sectors of PSDB [the Brazilian Social Democracy Party, the main opposition party at the time],” Dirceu told Judge Moro. In a statement, PSDB denied appointing anyone to political positions during Workers' Party (PT) administrations – the PT has been the ruling party since 2003.

Engevix

In another part of his testimony, José Dirceu also said the consultancy services he provided to Engevix company were legal services designed to “open up markets in Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Cuba.” He said he would go to other countries talk to business entrepreneurs and country presidents and use his prestige to introduce them to Engevix and other companies.

“I was not peddling influence or advocating any illegal interests. I have a background, I have built those relationships. I've provided consultancy services to sixty companies over these nine years. All my business activities are open. What I did was what you do to open up markets for Brazil,” he said.

Translated by Mayra Borges