Transparency International criticizes appointment of minister convicted of embezzlement chosen by Lula da Silva
The Brazilian representation of the organization Transparency International criticized the appointment of Waldez Góes as Minister of National Integration. Sentenced in 2019 by the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) to six years in prison for embezzlement – a crime of embezzlement of public money, Góes was awarded by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) with the high-ranking position.
In a text published on Twitter on Thursday 5th, the entity, which works to combat corruption in more than 60 countries, makes a brief history of the case of Góes and mentions that he was nominated by Senator Davi Alcolumbre (UB-AP) and “It entered through the Centrão quota, which can crush any government, right or left”.
The minister’s defense appealed the decision of the STJ to the Federal Supreme Court (STF) and the process is at a standstill, due to a request for a review by Justice Alexandre de Moraes. “Even so, despite the seriousness of the case, he was sworn in as a minister in the Lula government,” wrote Transparency International.
“The appointment of a minister sentenced to prison is at odds with these good cadres and raises all the alarms”, continued the organization, after stating that Lula da Silva is “silent on the fight against corruption”.
Transparency International also writes that “the ethical standard in the formation of ministries is vital in the promotion of integrity and democracy and, therefore, “society and institutions must prevent a Ministry fundamental for the development of underserved regions of the country from continuing to be used as a machine of corruption and electoral feudalization.”
Of the 37 ministers appointed by Lula da Silva, at least 19 have already faced investigations in court. Some surveys were archived, without the investigated responding to a lawsuit; others were convicted, but appealed and managed to have their sentences reversed. Lula da Silva himself was convicted in three instances and managed to annul the decisions of the STF.
In the case of Góes, who was governor of Amapá for four terms, between 2003 and 2010 and between 2015 and 2022, he was even arrested in 2010, on suspicion of being part of a criminal organization that would have embezzled R$300 million transferred by the Union to the State for investments in education. Góes was released 10 days later and in 2017 the STJ rejected allegations related to the case.
In 2019, however, in another case, the minister was convicted of embezzlement for diverting payroll loan amounts from Amapá state employees.
With information from Revista Oesta
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