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Lula expresses disappointment over son's and ex-aide's corruption probes Image: EFE
🇨🇱 Chile /Crime & Justice

Lula expresses disappointment over son's and ex-aide's corruption probes

From Cooperativa · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Under investigation
  • Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed deep disappointment regarding ongoing investigations into his eldest son and former chief of staff for alleged influence peddling.
  • Lula stated that while he believes the accusations are currently "speculation," he affirmed that if guilt is proven, both individuals will face consequences.
  • The investigations involve allegations of receiving benefits and gifts from lobbyists, with the opposition exploiting the scandals ahead of the upcoming presidential elections.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has voiced significant disappointment over investigations targeting his eldest son and former chief of staff for alleged influence peddling. "I am very calm (about whether the scandal could affect my government), but also very disappointed. My son knows he could not make any mistakes. If he made one, he will pay for it," Lula stated in an interview with the Globo television network.

I am very calm (about whether the scandal could affect my government), but also very disappointed. My son knows he could not make any mistakes. If he made one, he will pay for it.

— Luiz Inácio Lula da SilvaBrazilian President Lula da Silva expressing his disappointment and stance on the investigations into his son and former chief of staff.

The investigations involve Fabio Lula da Silva, the president's eldest son, who is reportedly under scrutiny in three separate probes. Additionally, former chief of staff Marco Aurélio Ribeiro Santana, known as Marcola, is being investigated for allegedly receiving resources and gifts from a lobbyist. Lula acknowledged that his former aide's behavior was "totally wrong."

While expressing his disappointment, Lula characterized the accusations as "speculation" based on phone conversations, emphasizing that no concrete proof has emerged yet. He specifically addressed Marcola's situation, stating that receiving favors from a lobbyist is "totally wrong" and not the role of a chief of staff. Lula mentioned that Marcola has claimed the resources received were for a loan, a version the president says he believes.

It is not appropriate (to receive favors from a lobbyist). It is totally wrong. Marcola knows the mistake he made because that is not the role of a chief of staff.

— Luiz Inácio Lula da SilvaPresident Lula commenting on his former chief of staff's alleged misconduct.

Regarding his son, Lula reiterated that "If Fábio committed any illicit act, he will have to pay like any Brazilian citizen." He stressed that a crime can only be established if it's proven that his former advisor's conversations led to any business involving public funds, for which he sees no current evidence. The scandals have become a point of contention in the upcoming October presidential elections, where Lula is seeking re-election against far-right Senator Fábio Bolsonaro.

If Fábio committed any illicit act, he will have to pay like any Brazilian citizen.

— Luiz Inácio Lula da SilvaPresident Lula's statement regarding his son's potential involvement in the investigations.
About this summary

Originally published by Cooperativa in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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