Brazil: Ex-president ‘Lula’ dragged into Brazil corruption crisis
The corruption crisis engulfing Brazil’s ruling Workers Party has deepened with the revelation that former president Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva is under investigation for influence-peddling.
Federal prosecutors have confirmed they are looking into claims the hugely popular former union leader illegally helped construction conglomerate Odebrecht win overseas contracts with financing from Brazil’s state-run national development bank BNDES.
The new inquiry into Lula comes as dozens of Workers Party politicians and members of its coalition allies are under investigation for looting billions from state-controlled oil giant Petrobras, which last week reported a €15 billion charge due to losses from corruption and mismanagement.
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