Lava Jato and Sérgio Moro React to Bolsonaro’s Statement

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – On Thursday, October 8th, Paraná Lava Jato task force members released a note, following President Jair Bolsonaro’s announcement that he had put an end to the operation because “there is no more corruption in the government.”

In the note, the prosecutors pointed out that the President’s statement shows a “lack of knowledge about the current work and the need for its continuation,” but above all that this “reinforces the perception about the lack of effective commitment in strengthening the anti-corruption efforts.”

“Lava Jato is a joint action of several state institutions in the fight against endemic corruption and, as the work’s latest stages prove, it is still essentially needed,” said the task force, recalling that hours before the President’s statement, the operation’s 76th stage seized almost R$4 million (US$800,000) in the home of a former Petrobras employee under suspicion of receiving kickbacks.

The task force said that society’s support and the “effective and consistent engagement of all Powers of the Republic” is critical to the success of the investigation efforts. “The prosecutors assigned to work in the case stress their commitment to the promotion of justice and defense of public affairs, the constitutional role of the Prosecutor’s Office, despite powerful forces to the contrary,” stated the note released by the Paraná Office.

Bolsonaro’s statement came on Wednesday afternoon, October 7th, in reaction to criticism from Lava Jato members for having become close to Supreme Court (STF) Justices who oppose the operation overseen by ex-judge Sérgio Moro.

The President has been criticized for nominating Judge Kassio Nunes to Justice Celso de Mello’s seat on the Supreme Court. The magistrate’s name was approved by Justices Gilmar Mendes and Dias Toffoli, who are critical of Lava Jato, and has the support of legislators from the so-called Centrão party bloc, which has been affected by the task force over the past five years.

“It’s with pride and satisfaction that I have to tell this wonderful press of ours that I don’t want to end Lava Jato… I ended Lava Jato because there is no more corruption in the government. I know this is not a virtue, it’s an obligation,” said the President at the Planalto Palace yesterday afternoon, when speaking at the launching of the ‘Voo Simples’ Program, of the Ministry of Infrastructure, which pledges to modernize aviation rules in Brazil.

The statement came moments after the STF Justices decided to change the internal framework for hearing criminal actions and inquiries, which will now be done by the full court, no longer by the two 5-Justice panels. The change was proposed by STF Chief Justice Luiz Fux and is perceived as an action to shield Lava Jato.

Ex-Minister of Justice and Public Safety Sérgio Moro also reacted to Bolsonaro’s statement.  “Attempts to end Lava Jato represent the return of corruption. It is the triumph of the old politics and schemes that destroy Brazil and weaken the economy and democracy. This is a well-known story. Is it worth it to turn into a swamp creature because of power?” wrote Moro on Twitter.

Source: Estadão Conteúdo