Brazil’s Federal Police Recommends Criminal Charges Against Former President Bolsonaro

Brazil’s federal police recommended that former President Jair Bolsonaro be criminally charged in a scheme to embezzle jewelry he received as gifts from foreign leaders while president, according to sources close to the investigation. This adds another significant legal challenge for Mr. Bolsonaro.

Accusations and Allegations

The federal police accused Mr. Bolsonaro and 10 of his allies of attempting to keep and sell expensive gifts received from foreign governments. Charges being sought include money laundering and criminal association against Mr. Bolsonaro and some of his allies, including former aides.

Details of the Alleged Scheme

• In one instance, Mr. Bolsonaro and his team allegedly tried to conceal $1 million worth of diamond jewelry received from the Saudi Arabian government.
• They also reportedly attempted to sell an 18-karat gold set from the Saudis for $50,000 at a Manhattan auction house during a Valentine’s Day sale last year.
• Furthermore, they sold two luxury watches at a Pennsylvania mall for $68,000 and some of the cash was delivered to Mr. Bolsonaro.

Legal Process Ahead

While Brazilian police refer to these recommended charges as an “indictment” in Portuguese, Mr. Bolsonaro has not been formally charged. The country’s top federal prosecutor will now need to decide whether to proceed with charging Mr. Bolsonaro, potentially leading to a trial. As of Thursday night, the prosecutor and Brazil’s Supreme Court had not yet received the recommendations from the police.