Page 12 - ARUBA TODAY

A12 WORLD NEWS
Wednesday 20 december 2017

Ex-Odebrecht CEO, symbol of
Brazil’s graft probe, leaves jail

By SARAH DiLORENZO able to do a favor here,
Associated Press award a contract there.
SAO PAULO (AP) — One The corruption was so or-
of the most prominent ganized — and endemic
people convicted in Latin — that it had its own de-
America’s largest corrup- partment at Odebrecht,
tion scandal left prison blandly named the Divi-
Tuesday for house arrest sion of Structured Opera-
after serving two-and-a- tions.
half years behind bars at On Tuesday, Odebrecht
a time when many Brazil- left prison and went to
ians are becoming disil- the federal court in the
lusioned with the graft southern state of Para-
investigation once hailed na, where an electronic
as a political game- bracelet was attached,
changer. the court said. Neither the
Marcelo Odebrecht’s re- court nor his representa-
lease came a day after tives would say where he
Brazil’s top court halted was headed next, but lo-
A demonstrator waves an Argentine flag as a crowd marches to the Congress to protest against investigations into several cal media have reported
a pension reform in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017.
(AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano) lawmakers, underscor- he will serve out his term
ing the limitations of the in his home in an upscale
Argentina leader defends pension reform “Car Wash” investigation neighborhood of Sao
Paulo. “The main objec-
that uncovered nearly in-
stitutionalized corruption tive of this new phase of
By LUIS HENA inflation and guarantees gasoline bombs, and riot involving senior politicians his life is, I repeat, to return
Associated Press that they will be better,” police responded with tear in several countries and to the family fold, which is
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina Macri said at a press con- gas and rubber bullets. several major Brazilian very dear to him, and to
(AP) — Argentina’s presi- ference at the presidential Macri told reporters that companies. be effective in his collab-
dent defended a pension palace. “Our priority is to the violence had “clearly Odebrecht, who was oration” with prosecutors,
reform bill approved by take care of the retirees.” been orchestrated” and CEO of the his family’s Nabor Bulhoes, a lawyer
Congress Tuesday that has But opposition lawmakers, would be investigated. company of the same for Odebrecht told re-
prompted violent protests union leaders and other In peaceful protests, dem- name, cooperated with porters outside the court.
and a general strike, say- critics complain the bill will onstrators banged on pots prosecutors and testified “Right now, he has no
ing it seeks only to benefit cut pension and retirement in several neighborhoods that executives routinely other plan and no other
retirees. payments as well as aid of the capital late into the paid bribes and made il- goal.” While Odebrecht’s
The measure passed in the for some poor families be- night. The protests hold legal campaign contribu- release was expected, it
lower house by a 127-117 cause consumer prices are deep symbolism for Argen- tions to politicians in ex- underscored the inequali-
vote after more than 12 expected to be lower. tines, who have haunting change for favors. He was ties in Brazil’s criminal jus-
hours of debate, much of “We’re sad. This law is bad,” memories of the 2001-2002 originally sentenced to 19 tice system, in which cor-
which came as demon- said opposition lawmaker economic collapse, when years in prison, but, once ruption and white collar
strators clashed with police Agustin Rossi. “We tried to pot-banging marches he began cooperating, crimes generally receive
outside the chamber. impede it from passing, but forced presidents from of- that penalty was reduced little jail time. “It’s terrible
The legislation, which had we couldn’t get the num- fice and made the country to 10, with the agree- for the image of Brazil,”
already cleared the Sen- bers. This harms retirees.” practically ungovernable. ment that the majority of said Celcino Rodrigues
ate, would change the Argentina’s largest union “I respect that there are it would be served under Junior, a 26-year-old law
formula by which pension called a 24-hour general people who believe that house arrest. student in Sao Paulo, re-
benefits are calculated, strike that has grounded these reforms are not Odebrecht’s conviction ferring to Odebrecht’s
basing them largely on hundreds of flights. About good,” Macri said. “It would and jailing were seen as release. “It’s favorable to
inflation instead of wage 150 people were also in- be illogical to have una- a major victory for Car him because he will be in
growth and tax contri- jured and about 60 were ar- nimity. But I’m asking them Wash prosecutors. The tes- a mansion, he will be in
butions. It’s a key part of rested in clashes between not to doubt the intention timony of Odebrecht and total comfort.” Revealing
the economic changes police and demonstrators because I’m convinced other executives revealed the extent of corruption
pushed by President Mau- Monday outside the Con- that it will help them.” that, for years, the com- in Brazil was one of Car
ricio Macri’s government gress building. Some retir- Since taking office in 2015, pany had essentially cap- Wash’s great achieve-
to reduce Argentina’s high ees who were protesting the conservative leader tured the Brazilian state, ments. The other was
deficit and attract invest- the measure were caught has promised to rein in paying bribes and kick- managing to put some of
ments. up in the middle of the vio- government spending and backs to whoever was in its masterminds, Odebre-
“We’ve created a formula lence when some demon- revive Argentina’s lagging power, whoever might be cht among them, in jail.q
that defends (retirees) from strators hurled rocks and economy.q