Former minister under Lula and Rousseff accused of corruption

Federal prosecutors put forward a motion accusing former Planning Minister Paulo Bernardo of criminal organization, passive corruption, and money laundering. The erstwhile cabinet member reportedly received funds in a fraud scheme involving a payroll loan management contract. If the document, filed on Monday (Aug. 1), is accepted, Bernardo will be brought to justice to answer  the charges.

In addition to the former minister, 19 other people were targeted by the prosecutors. They are being accused of forming a criminal organization in the Planning Ministry between 2009 and 2015. Married to Senator Gleisi Hoffmann, Paulo Bernardo was minister under suspended President Dilma Rousseff and ex-president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Last June, Bernardo was arrested following suspicions he had received $2.17 million in kickbacks involving software company Consist, which controlled payroll loan contracts for civil servants. Investigators believe that public agents and politicians received illicit payments through an agreement forged with the firm.

Verônica Sterman, lawyer for Bernardo, believes the allegations will be dismissed as unfounded. “Bernardo reiterates he did not benefit, either directly or indirectly, from any amount of money from Consist,” a note from Bernardo's defense reads.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira