Charges likely for key figures in Petrobras scandal

Evidence gathered against two leading members of Brazil's ruling Workers Party in the Petrobras graft scandal is sufficient for them to face criminal charges, police said Tuesday.

Prosecutors now must review the evidence against Jose Dirceu and Joao Vaccari and decide on charges against them and 12 others, police sources said.

Prosecutors suspect Dirceu, a former cabinet chief under ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (2003-2010) and a cofounder of the leftist party known as PT, of having masterminded the operation.

The alleged scheme skimmed billions of dollars from the state oil giant and sent the money to political parties, and people's private accounts.

Police also said evidence shows that Vaccari -- who was arrested when he was treasurer of the Workers Party, and has already been charged in connection with the scandal  -- actively and passively engaged in corruption, money laundering and racketeering.

Lula was in office from 2003 to 2010 and was the country's first democratically elected leftist leader.

He spent generously on social programs to reduce the number of Brazilians living in poverty and the economy boomed to the world's seventh largest.

On his heels, President Dilma Rousseff has been re-elected, but her popularity is at a staggering low eight percent, with the economy in recession and her government rocked by corruption scandals.

Rousseff herself has not been accused, but she chaired the board at Petrobras between 2003 and 2010, when much of the alleged corruption was flourishing.

Prosecutors estimate that $2.1 billion in bribes were paid as part of the scheme.

Lula is being investigated in an unrelated influence-peddling probe, but has not been charged.

Source: AFP