Brazil govt orders investigation on jewelry missing from presidential sash

The Office of the Presidency has formed an internal investigation commission to find out about gold and diamond ornaments found to be missing from the presidential sash. The sash was found without the jewelry after it was reported that the inventory systems had been unable to locate it. The commission has up to 30 days, extendable by another 30, to complete the investigation.

Searches for the ornaments began in July, when auditors from the Federal Court of Audits (TCU) were ordered to inventory the presidential collection at the Presidency buildings and keep track of the circulation of assets between government buildings in the preceding years. The investigation records are confidential.

When the TCU personnel requested access to the Planalto and Alvorada presidential palaces, the Office of the Chief of Staff issued a report authorizing the property tracking efforts.

The presidential sash is worn by presidents of several countries in certain ceremonial circumstances. In Brazil, it is handed over to each new president in their inauguration ceremony at Planalto palace and is worn by them in their official portraits.

In the afternoon, the presidency issued a statement to report they found the 18K gold brooch with 21 diamonds that ornaments the presidential sash. According to the statement, the jewelry was "under a wardrobe in the Ceremonial office."

Translated by Mayra Borges/Amarilis Anchieta

*Updated at 3:56 pm