Brazil's police allege Bolsonaro got money from $70,000 sale of luxury jewelry gifts
Brazil’s federal police allege former President Jair Bolsonaro received cash from the sale of two luxury watches he received as gifts from Saudi Arabia while in office
ByCARLA BRIDI and MAURICIO SAVARESE Associated Press
August 11, 2023, 7:35 PM
BRASILIA, Brazil -- Brazil’s federal police on Friday alleged former President Jair Bolsonaro received cash from the nearly $70,000 sale of two luxury watches he received as gifts from Saudi Arabia while in office, posing another potential blow for the embattled far-right leader.
Earlier in the day, officers raided the homes and offices of several people purportedly involved in the case, including a four-star army general. Bolsonaro has denied any wrongdoing involving the gifts.
A Federal Police officer said the force is seeking authoriziation to access the personal banking and financial information of Bolsonaro. The officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the investigation, said the Federal Police had asked for help from the FBI.
Bolsonaro’s lawyers said in a statement that he would authorize Brazil’s judiciary to have access to his banking records. “President Bolsonaro has never embezzled or misplaced any public assets,” it said.
More:
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/brazils-police-allege-bolsonaro-money-70000-sale-luxury-102213063
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By Ricardo Brito and Rodrigo Viga Gaier
August 11, 20235:52 PM CDT Updated 7 hours ago
Frederick Wassef, lawyer representing Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, attends an inauguration ceremony at the Planalto Palace, in Brasilia, Brazil June 17, 2020. Picture taken June 17, 2020. REUTERS/Adriano Machado/File Photo
BRASILIA/RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Brazilian police on Friday raided the addresses of a lawyer to former President Jair Bolsonaro and the family of his jailed personal aide to investigate the alleged sale of jewelry and other presents from Arab governments.
The search warrant issued by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes followed police allegations that Bolsonaro's aides used government resources for their personal advantage.
A Federal Police statement said those under investigation "are suspected of using the structure of the state to divert high-value assets delivered by foreign authorities to Brazilian representatives on official visits, through the sale of these items abroad."
The decision by Moraes, seen by Reuters, said proceeds of the sales were delivered in cash to Bolsonaro via intermediaries.
More:
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazil-police-raid-bolsonaro-aides-over-sale-jewelry-gifts-2023-08-11/
