Charges filed against ex-presidents Lula and Rousseff with Supreme Court

Brazil’s Prosecutor-General Rodrigo Janot filed charges of criminal organization with the Supreme Court against former presidents Dilma Rousseff and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, as well as former Finance Ministers Guido Mantega and Antonio Palocci. The accusation was lodged Tuesday (Sep 5).

Also targeted were Senator Gleisi Hoffmann; her husband, former minister Paulo Bernardo—both members of the Workers’ Party (PT)—and former PT treasurers João Vaccari and Edinho Silva.

In Janot’s reports, the prosecutor argues that the ones charged formed a criminal organization with PT members to pocket bribes embezzled from state-controlled oil giant Petrobras, brought to light by Operation Car Wash.

At least since 2002 up to May 12, 2016, the investigated are believed to have taken part and built a criminal organization active during Lula’s and Rousseff’s tenures in order to perpetrate a myriad of wrongdoings, particularly against public administration, Janot claims.

Defense

In a note, Lula’s counsel described the charges as “unfounded” and politically motivated.

Rousseff’s press office said no position has been taken as yet concerning the matter.

The other defense lawyers also denied any involvement.

*Sabrina Craide and Ivan Richard also contributed to this article.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira

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