The Supreme Federal Court of Brazil Justice José Dias Toffoli has called for an investigation into alleged funds received by Transparency International from the leniency agreement struck between JBS, a major food processor company, and the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) in 2017.
The agreement had come into existence after J&F, the parent company of JBS, took part in Operation Car Wash, which debuted in 2014 as one of the most extensive anti-corruption probes in Brazil. This resulted in the exposure of the country’s corrupt state-owned enterprises.
As a consequence, J&F was obligated to pay $10.3 billion for its participation in corrupt activities. Toffoli claims that out of this sum, Transparency International was to manage $2.3 billion, in conjunction with Brazil’s Public Prosecutor Office (MPF), to execute social welfare projects. He argues this should’ve been allocated under the country’s legal and budgetary norms rather than assigned to a foreign organization.
As per Toffoli’s assertions, Transparency International reportedly misappropriated the funds and public resources gained during Operation Car Wash. He has thus demanded an investigation into the matter. Furthermore, Toffoli rescinded the multi-million dollar fine imposed on construction group Novonor for its alleged involvement in the corruption scandal. It is pertinent to note that Toffoli has consistently been a critic of Operation Car Wash, which recovered billions of dollars of corruption and put several prominent Brazilians under immense scrutiny.
Illustrating Brazil’s ongoing struggle with corruption, the country ranked 104 out of 180 positions with a score of 36 points in a corruption index report released by Transparency International last week.
In response to Toffoli’s allegations, Transparency International has criticized the “unjust retaliation” it is facing for its anti-corruption activities in the country. The organization expressed concern over legal action based on unfounded accusations and false information, intended to suppress civil society’s efforts to expose corruption and unchecked influence of power.
Transparency International has firmly denied any misuse of funds or managerial control over such agreements. Despite the consistent denials and available information, smear campaigns persist, and are, in fact, increasing in intensity.