Judge Moro: Plea bargains “broke taboo of trust” among criminals

In a statement made Tuesday (May 30), Federal Judge Sergio Moro, who spearheads Operation Car Wash, stood up for plea bargains, saying the deals allow investigations to advance. “It wouldn't be possible to uncover Brazil's corruption schemes were it not for plea bargains, because they have broken the taboo of trust among criminals,” Moro said during an event in Cascais, Portugal.

In corruption cases, Moro maintained, there are the corrupt and the corruptor, but usually no witness—hence the importance of plea bargain statements. “It's hard to probe. There are a number of ways we can investigate the crimes perpetrated in secret, among them plea bargains. The idea is to use the lesser criminal to get to the bigger ones,” he said.

“One of the golden rules of the concept of plea bargain is the corroborating evidence,” which guarantees its legitimacy, he went on to say.

Alongside judges such as Portuguese Carlos Alexandre, Baltasar Garzón, from Spain, and Antonio Pietro, from Italy—who participated in Operation Clean Hands—Moro championed Operation Car Wash, saying “there is no shame” in fighting corruption.

“Exposing and punishing the corruption of public officials is an honor, not a shame. Even though the process is regarded negatively by some in Brazil, Brazilian society is eager to have a cleaner country,” remarked the Brazilian judge, who was introduced by TV hostess Clara de Sousa, on Portugal's SIC, and received a standing ovation.

Overarching corruption

Moro believes the investigations and trials in progress can turn Brazil's overarching corruption into a mere “memory,” and that there should be faith in the improvement of the country. “It doesn't matter whether corruption is big or small. It's an evil that should be brought under investigation and tried, as it may assume a graver aspect if it turns into a habit and becomes systemic,” he pointed out.

The judge further mentioned that corruption can be harmful to the economy, raises the cost of public services, and drives investors away, in addition to being detrimental to democracy. “If people think corruption is normal, confidence in the democratic system is affected. That's why we must fight it every way we can,” said Moro, who supported the participation of members of society in expanding the efforts if the country's Judiciary branch.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira