Lava Jato Links Five Major Brazilian Banks to R$1.3 Billion Money Laundering Scheme
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – According to findings based on two operational stages carried out this year, funds used for the payment of bribes were transferred through Banco do Brasil, Bradesco, Caixa, Itaú, and Santander.
In all, the accounts opened in the name of front companies operated by moneylenders investigated by Lava Jato handled approximately R$1.3 billion (US$325 million).
The cooperation of bank employees and flaws in control systems for suspicious transactions are alleged to have enabled the use of the national financial system for illegal transactions.
As a result of these flaws, Lava Jato investigators are now examining whether the large banks mentioned are also liable for the crimes committed.
“The question is whether the bank has taken all due precautions to prevent employees from being coopted and money from being laundered or whether it has failed in this duty,” said Roberson Pozzobon, a member of the Lava Jato task force in Curitiba.
Investigated transactions involve Bradesco: R$989.6 million, Banco do Brasil: about R$200 million, Itaú: R$94.5 million, Santander: R$19.5 million, Caixa: R$4.1 million, totaling R$1.3 billion.
Source: UOL
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