Brazil Fights Back Against Cronyism: Convicts 20 in Vote-Buying Scheme

This is a good story.

"Chicago" style politics has a wide range I guess !!

Brazil's Supreme Federal Tribunal has convicted 20 of 38 defendants in a vote-buying scheme that is dredging up questions about former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's administration.

These questions revolve around congressmen, members of the governing party, and senior officials who worked directly under Lula.

For example, Lula's former chief of staff Jose Dirceu de Oliveira e Silva was among those convicted. And this includes his conviction for organizing the whole scheme. Prosecutors in the case say Dirceu oversaw the channeling "of funds from state companies to the governing Workers Party, while monthly payments were also made to lawmakers of various parties to buy their votes in the federal legislature.".................

Brazil Fights Back Against Cronyism: Convicts 20 in Vote-Buying Scheme

"Connected" article:

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazilians are so used to impunity, especially when it comes to the legendary corruption in their political system, that they often employ a fatalistic maxim to describe it: The police arrest; the courts set free.

But for weeks now, Brazilians have been riveted by the televised spectacle at the nation’s high court, in which justices are sparring over what is arguably Brazil’s largest corruption scandal. When the dust settles and sentences are announced, prominent politicians and bankers may actually go to jail. .....

Brazilian Corruption Case Raises Hopes for Judicial System

I wonder if those guys in the picture are good Catholics ?