In Brazil, over $100 million embezzled in scam
Federal Prosecutor Leandro Mitidieri believes the scam was brought to light when information and evidence was shared under Operation Car Wash 
The Brazilian Federal Police launched today (Jun. 30) Operation Plunderer (Operação Saqueador in the original Portuguese), a probe into the embezzlement of more than $115.2 million in a corruption scheme run by the construction company Delta Construções.
Altogether, five preventive arrest warrants have been issued. Among the charged, according to the Federal Prosecution Service, are Delta CEO Fernando Cavendish and executive Carlinhos Cachoeira, who was arrested today in Goiás state and transferred to the Federal Police headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.
Cavendish is currently overseas on a trip. Tácio Muzzi, head of a police station dedicated to corruption and financial crimes, explained he flew to Europe on June 22 and has not been located yet. “We're waiting for a response from his lawyers, but if no contact is made, we're certainly going to notify Interpol and take further action,” he said.
The scheme
During a press conference, prosecutors explained that the funds were siphoned off to shell firms. A portion of the amount would then be withdrawn and paid as kickbacks to public officials. Businessmen Carlinhos Cachoeira, Adir Assad, and Marcelo Abbud have been charged with using fictitious contracts to create those companies. Investigators report the scheme also served on behalf of the wrongdoing at Petrobras, which is under scrutiny as part of Operation Car Wash.
Joint effort
Federal Prosecutor Leandro Mitidieri believes the scam was brought to light when information and evidence was shared under Operation Car Wash, which took place after the Supreme Court allowed the use of plea bargain statements made by representatives from the company Andrade Gutierrez S/A, investigated by Operation Car Wash. The information confirms that Delta was a company essentially dedicated to corruption schemes in public construction workers, especially in Rio.
From 2007 to 2012, according to prosecutors, nearly all of Delta's revenues derived from public construction contracts, adding up to $3.4 billion.
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira
Fonte: In Brazil, over $100 million embezzled in scam
