Corruption

Question 1

Clean Company Act 2014

Answer 1

companies are responsible for the corrupt practices of their employees and can be held liable without a finding of fault.

Question 2

Operação Lava Jato

Answer 2

an investigation being carried out by the Federal Police of Brazil, Curitiba Branch, and judicially commanded by Judge Sérgio Moro since March 17, 2014. Initially a money laundering investigation, it has expanded to cover allegations of corruption at the state-controlled oil company Petrobras. Brazil’s biggest construction firms allegedly overcharged state-oil company Petrobras for building contracts. Part of their windfall would then be handed to Petrobras executives and politicians who were in on the deal. Prosecutors allege that the Workers’ Party partly financed its campaigns and expenses through these kickbacks.

Question 3

How did Operação Lava Jato get its name?

Answer 3

the alleged ring used a currency exchange and money transfer service at the Posto da Torre (Tower Gas Station) in Brasilia to move the money acquired by illicit means

Question 4

What is the impeachment process?

Answer 4

1) speaker of the lower chamber of Congress, Eduardo Cunha, accepts petition for impeachment
2) Cunha created 65-member congressional committee to investigate the accusations and decide if removal was warranted in Dec 2015
3) Committee recommends moving forward on April 6 with vote
4) Lower house votes on April 17. 2/3 needed to vote for impeachment
5) Rousseff could appeal lower house’s vote to Supreme Federal Tribunal (if she finds something legally questionable in the process). Next step waits until this is over.
6) Senate will vote to put her on trial. Must be a majority
7) If trial begins, her presidency is suspended and VP (Temer) takes over
8) Two-thirds of the 81 senators must vote in favor of removing the president from office. If no decision is reached within 180 days, the suspension of the president ends.