“Mensalão” scandal whistleblower arrested in Rio
“Mensalão” corruption scandal whistleblower Roberto Jefferson has been jailed in Rio de Janeiro. He was convicted under Penal Case 470, the “mensalão” case, and sentenced to 7 years and 14 days' partial imprisonment on passive bribery and money laundering charges. He will also have to pay a $307,810 fine.
The former congressman gave himself up to Federal Police on Monday (Feb. 24) in his home in the state of Rio de Janeiro. His lawyers were seeking house arrest for him based on a nutritional diet he began following a pancreatic tumor surgery last year, but Chief Justice Joaquim Barbosa found that medical orders can be adequately followed in prison and ordered Jefferson's arrest on Friday (Feb 21).
In 2005, Jefferson denounced the corruption scheme, whereby congressmen – including himself – were being paid on a monthly basis to vote for projects of interest to President Lula's government (“mensalão” is Portuguese for “big monthly payment”). During the Public Prosecution investigations, Jefferson, who was the chairman of the government-allied PTB party at the time, confirmed he had received $1,710 million and parceled it out to his party members. Then-Chief of Staff José Dirceu was also implicated as the scheme's leader and eventually convicted.
Translated by Mayra Borges
Fonte: “Mensalão” scandal whistleblower arrested in Rio
