Deputy sentenced in "mensalão" trial is sent to jail
Deputy João Paulo Cunha, ex-president of the Chamber of Deputies, turned himself in at the Papuda Penitentiary Complex, in Brasília, on Tuesday (Feb 4). His arrest order was issued by president of the Supreme Federal Court Joaquim Barbosa. The congressman was sentenced to six years and four months in prison. He was among the defendants in the Penal Action 470, the mensalão trial.
As he was sentenced to a period shorter than eight years, the deputy is allowed to serve his sentence in a so-called semiopen regime, i.e., he is permitted to work and study during the day, but must spend the night in jail.
João Paulo Cunha, member of the Workers’ Party, released a letter saying that the mensalão trial was a show put on by the press. He underscores his own innocence and states that he would follow the law and turn himself in in order to “carry out the unjust, absurd sentence” he received.
Former president of the Chamber at the time of the scandal, he further states that no evidence against him has been presented, and that, after the appeal phase is concluded, his lawyer is to “request a criminal revision of the entire process, so that a new trial can take place.”
The Supreme Federal Court is also expected to analyze this year another appeal filed by the defense against João Paulo Cunha’s 3-year sentence for money laundering.
Unlike some deputies who chose to renounce so they can still become eligible candidates in the future, João Paulo Cunha says in his letter he will face the forfeiture of his license for breach of trust. In his view, the trial by the members of the Chamber will be a legitimate one, in which his innocence is to be proved.
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira
Fonte: Deputy sentenced in "mensalão" trial is sent to jail
