|
 Police said they had evidence that Lula received illicit benefits
from the kick-back scheme at state oil firm Petroleo Brasileiro SA
(Petrobras) <PETR4.SA> in the form of payments and luxury real
estate.
"Ex-president Lula, besides being party leader, was the one
ultimately responsible for the decision on who would be the
directors at Petrobras and was one of the main beneficiaries of
these crimes," a police statement said.
"There is evidence that the crimes enriched him and financed
electoral campaigns and the treasury of his political group."
A spokesperson for Lula did not immediately respond to requests for
comment on Friday.
 Police said they carried out 33 search warrants and 11 arrest
warrants in the latest round of the Operation Carwash investigation,
including two in Sao Bernardo do Campo, where Lula lives. Some 200
police and 30 auditors from federal tax office took part in the
operation on Friday.
Lula's foundation said in a statement on Thursday that the former
president had never committed any illegal acts before, during or
after his presidential term.
His detention would be the biggest event so far in an investigation
of alleged corruption at Petrobras, which has snared lawmakers and
some of Brazil's most powerful business executives.
Lula ran Brazil from 2003 to 2010, when prosecutors allege much of
the graft took place. His detention would tarnish the reputation of
the most beloved leader in Brazil's modern history and threatens the
government of his protegee and successor Dilma Rousseff.
[to top of second column] |
Rousseff has also repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Brazilian media reported on Thursday that ruling party Senator
Delcidio Amaral, a major legislative ally for Rousseff before he was
arrested in November, allegedly tied the president and Lula to the
scandal engulfing Petrobras in 400-page plea bargain made with
prosecutors.
(This story has been refiled to fix typo in first paragraph)
(Additional reporting by Daniel Flynn and Maria Pia Palermo; Editing
by Louise Ireland)
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