There have been so many examples, in the more or less recent past, without anything serious happening to the Republic
Bomb, bomb! Vorcaro will make a statement and shake the Republic. Just scroll through social media and this sensationalist phrase appears in the blink of an eye. And a lot of people believe it. But is it really to be believed? Not in the denunciation itself, but in its apocalyptic consequences.
What we hear most recently is the earthquake that a possible denunciation of Daniel Vorcaro would cause in the Brazilian Republic. Apparently, important heads from the three Powers would roll if he told everything he knows. It will be? After all, there have been so many examples, in the more or less recent past, without anything serious happening to the Republic.
The history of Mensalão
Those involved opened the book, revealed details of the most absurd frauds, created enormous expectations, but, in the end, the institutional structures were preserved. It is true that there is a mark here, another there, with consequences that are remembered, especially during election periods. And that’s it.
To avoid going too far, let’s start with Mensalão. It seems like yesterday, as those involved continue to roam around, but more than 20 years have passed. It all happened in 2005, during Lula’s first term. Then-deputy Roberto Jefferson revealed that there was a scheme to pay allowances to parliamentarians.
Big people involved
Resources diverted from state-owned companies, such as Correios and Banco do Brasil, were used to buy support from deputies. The scandal affected important names in the PT, such as José Dirceu, who was minister of the Civil House; José Genoino, party president; and Delúbio Soares, treasurer. Twenty-five of the forty defendants were convicted at trial.
Apparently, nothing would stand, as people from the depths of power were willing to denounce those involved. It was like this with Roberto Jefferson himself and former deputy Pedro Corrêa, who pointed out President Lula’s participation. There were seven years of investigations, trials and convictions. The facts were so evident that Lula even apologized to the Brazilians.
The history of Petrolão
Well, thought the majority, after all this repercussion, no one would dare participate in other evil deeds. What nothing! And it didn’t take long. In 2014, another scheme of embezzlement of state-owned resources was discovered, Petrolão. Even more robust than Mensalão. There was embezzlement of funds and money laundering investigated in Operation Lava Jato. No scandal of this magnitude was known in history.
Those involved were large construction companies, high-ranking state-owned executives and politicians from different parties. The construction companies organized themselves to circumvent Petrobras bids. The values negotiated were well above those practiced in the market. Overpriced prices affected large-scale works, such as the Abreu e Lima and Comperj refineries.
They stole a lot and gave back little
Directors of the state-owned company, nominated based on political criteria, money changers and parties benefited from the diverted resources. The destination of the money was diverse: financing political campaigns, buying votes in Congress and enriching the participants themselves. It is estimated that Petrobras’ losses due to these thefts exceeded tens of billions.
The allegations in this case proved to be even more comprehensive. Among the best known were Paulo Roberto Costa, Pedro Barusco, Odebrecht executives, with the refinement of a bribery department, Antonio Palocci, João Santana, among others. Certain people involved even returned some billions.
The wolf loses its fur, but does not lose its addiction
It is not possible to say that there were no consequences, as it was the harbinger of Dilma Rousseff’s impeachment, but nothing that would compromise the country’s institutional structures. For some, the crime even paid off. No one has been locked up for that long. There are politicians who were involved in these abuses and who today continue to be elected to the most different positions. As Thucydides observed, men are more inclined to repeat mistakes than to correct them.
At the current time, other scandals arise almost simultaneously: the case of Banco Master, fraudulent payroll loans and undue discounts on INSS retirees’ accounts. Among the central names in these investigations is Daniel Vorcaro, who is in prison and, according to information widely reported in the press, one step away from making a plea bargain.
Vorcaro would have a lot of stories to tell
They say he has secrets so bombastic that their disclosure could shake the Republic. Once again, history seems to repeat itself. If these facts become public, it is clear that one or another part of the three Powers may be affected, but, as in previous episodes, nothing that will destabilize the institutions.
The population is eager to find out who was involved in this scandal and hopes that those responsible will pay for their mistakes. But, as we have seen, those who get involved in shady plans and seek financial and power advantages rarely change their ways. What the country needs are control systems that prevent criminals from appropriating other people’s money. For now, it’s just cheering. Follow on Instagram: @polito
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Jovem Pan.
