Prosecutors say Mr. da Silva’s concealment constitutes a form of money laundering, which is a criminal offense. The spokeswoman said more details would be provided Thursday in a news conference.
Lula’s lawyer claims his client never owned the three-story penthouse.
Fifteen other people are being charged, including Lula’s son:
Prosecutors say one of the country’s biggest construction firms, OAS, carried out extensive refurbishment on the penthouse.
Officially the apartment belongs to OAS, which is under investigation. It has been accused of paying bribes to politicians and senior officials at Petrobras to secure lucrative contracts.
Re-elected to a second term in 2014, Rousseff is now dealing with five major problems: Brazil’s worst economic recession in over a century; a congressional push to impeach her; a review of her campaign financesby the Federal Electoral Court (which could see the anullment of her electoral victory); the Car Wash investigation, and the spread of the Zika virus.
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Brazil: Why Lula detention underscores strengthened democracy
