Extraordinary minister denies he received money from JBS in 2012
In a statement made today (Nov. 14), Onyx Lorenzoni, extraordinary minister of government transition, denied he was benefited by a second sum of money from JBS in 2012. He recognized an amount was transferred to him in 2014, and said he admitted it publicly. The information publicized Wednesday (14), he argued, aims to disturb the future administration of president-elect Jair Bolsonaro.
“It is not the first time they attempt to implicate me in corruption-related incidents,” Lorenzoni said after a breakfast with Bolsonaro and lower house speaker Rodrigo Maia. “I’m a warrior against corruption. They’ve been trying to destroy Jair Bolsonaro for a year. What was society’s reaction to it? An overwhelming victory.”
Newspaper Folha de S.Paulo published an article reporting that JBS spreadsheets describing an alleged transfer of $26.4 thousand to Lorenzoni. This is the amount the minister denies having received. Last year he confirmed he pocketed slush funds from the company, and said it was “a mistake.”
In an interview this morning, Lorenzoni made a statement without having been posed any questions. He lambasted the daily and said plotters have been relentlessly targeting Bolsonaro’s government.
“In the government-elect there was no time for rest. There was always someone attacking. They’re not making us any weaker. What I wish is to bring about a true transformation in Brazil,” the minister declared. “We will deal with any attempts to implicate us in corruption with determination. We’re warriors against corruption.”
Lorenzoni mentioned Bible verse John 8:32, which he said he has tattooed on his arm, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” He claimed it serves to remember and acknowledge the error it was to receive money from JBS in 2014 as well as to avoid further missteps.
JBS is a company owned by brothers Joesley and Wesley Batista, brought under scrutiny in a number of corruption cases involving public officials and Congress members.
