Majority of STF ministers vote for Collor’s conviction

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Former senator accused of passive corruption and money laundering

Brasilia DF) – The majority of the ministers of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) voted this Thursday (18) for the conviction of former senator and former president Fernando Collor for passive corruption and money laundering in an Operation Lava Jato process. So far, the trial score is 6 votes to 1 for conviction. After the votes, the session was suspended and will resume on Wednesday (24).

The votes were formed from the vote of the rapporteur, Minister Edson Fachin, who expressed his opinion on Wednesday (17) for the conviction of the former parliamentarian to 33 years and 10 months in prison. Two former advisors may also be convicted in the case.

For Fachin, Collor, as a former leader of the PTB, was responsible for political appointments for BR Distribuidora, a subsidiary of Petrobras, and received R$ 20 million as consideration for facilitating the hiring of UTC Engenharia.

In addition to the rapporteur, Justices Alexandre de Moraes, André Mendonça, Luís Roberto Barroso, Luiz Fux and Cármen Lúcia also voted for the conviction. Collor’s total sentence has not yet been defined.

The Court judges a criminal action opened in August 2017. According to the Attorney General’s Office (PGR), the former President of the Republic would have received at least R$ 20 million in bribes for his political influence at BR Distribuidora. The crimes would have occurred between 2010 and 2014.

Absolution

Minister Nunes Marques voted for Collor’s acquittal. For the minister, it has not been proven that he has benefited from deviations in BR Distribuidora.

“As there are no suitable external elements in the records to corroborate the statements made by employees, there is no way to consider the accusatory thesis that there would have been a negotiation of the sale of political support for the appointment and maintenance of leaders at BR Distribuidora”, he said.

Defense

During the trial, lawyer Marcelo Bessa asked for Collor’s acquittal. The defense claimed that the PGR’s accusations are based on testimonials of the award-winning and no evidence was presented to incriminate the former senator.

Bessa also denied that the former parliamentarian was responsible for appointing company directors. According to him, the whistleblowers accused Collor based on comments from third parties.

“There is no suitable evidence to corroborate this version of the Public Prosecutor’s Office. There is a version posted here, solely and exclusively, by award-winning contributors, who do not say that the collection of these amounts would be related to Collor or the alleged intermediation of this flagging contract”, he added.

*With information from Agência Brasil

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