Brazil police see no evidence in port bribery case against president Temer

BRASILIA (Reuters) – A bribery investigation into Brazilian President Michel Temer regarding the extension of port concessions last year has found no evidence of corruption and could soon conclude no crime was committed, the head of the federal police told Reuters on Friday.

Director General Fernando Segovia said in an interview that police found no proof that a decree signed last year by Temer favored logistics firm Rodrimar SA, which operates services in the Port of Santos, Latin America’s busiest container port.

The bribery probe is the only case pending against Temer, who last year avoided standing trial before the Supreme Court when allies in Congress shielded him from charges of corruption, obstruction of justice and organized crime.

“What we see is that the decree itself did not in theory benefit the company. There was no benefit. And there is no word about money being paid,” said Segovia, who was appointed by Temer late last year, in the interview at police headquarters.

“Until now, absolutely nothing has appeared that would be the basis for corruption,” he said.

The main piece of evidence turned up by the investigation was a wiretap of a conversation between former Congressman Rodrigo Rocha Loures, a close aide to the president, and a presidential legal advisor, Gustavo Rocha.

But the conversation shows the legal advisor saying the decree could not be changed to favor the company and that Temer opposed such a change, Segovia said.

The decree, published in May, extended contracts governing port concessions, benefiting current operators.

Rocha Loures was arrested in June after being filmed with a suitcase of cash received from meatpacker JBS SA as part of a separate investigation, in which he has been charged with corruption, which he denies.

Temer has denied any role in the corruption scandals and answered questions put to him in writing by the police even though he was not legally obliged to do so, his lawyer said.

Segovia said the investigation should be wrapped up within three months. Asked if the case was likely to be shelved, he said: “In the end, we could even conclude that there was no crime committed.”

Temer took office in 2016 when he succeeded impeached leftist president Dilma Rousseff. Her supporters claim she was ousted in a conspiracy to protect Temer, then vice president, and his political associates from prosecution for corruption.

CLARIFICATION

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Luis Barroso asked on Saturday for the head of the Federal Police to clarify comments he made in the  Reuters interview  regarding an investigation of President  Temer.

The bribery investigation is the only case pending against Temer, who last year avoided standing trial before the Supreme Court when allies in Congress shielded him from charges of corruption, obstruction of justice and organized crime.

Barroso said Segovia talked about an investigation yet to be concluded by police, in a way that put pressure and threatens the autonomy of the federal police deputy in charge of the case.

Segovia said he recognizes the independence of people behind the Temer investigation and that he will respect whatever outcome the probe reaches.

REUTERS