February 4, 2021 Share
A prominent task force of Brazilian prosecutors was officially disbanded Wednesday, marking the symbolic end of an investigative unit initially praised for tackling impunity among the nation’s political and business elite but lately under fire for allegations of bias in its probes.
The “Car Wash” investigation began in March 2014 looking into black market money-changing involving a gas station in Brazil’s capital, Brasilia, but it soon discovered billions of dollars in kickbacks related to construction contracts awarded by state-run oil giant Petrobras. Investigators found much of the illicit funds went to party coffers and politicians’ pockets.
The unit shared its findings with other nations, which spread the anti-corruption reckoning across the region.
Brazil s anti-corruption Car Wash task force ends in gloom sfgate.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sfgate.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Mauricio Savarese
FILE - In this May 23, 2017 file photo, masks representing corrupt politicians line the lawn outside the National Congress building, in Brasilia, Brazil. A prominent task force of Brazilian prosecutors was officially disbanded Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, marking the symbolic end of âCar Washâ investigative unit initially praised for tackling impunity among the nationâs political and business elite but lately under fire for allegations of bias in its probes. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres, File) February 03, 2021 - 2:53 PM
SAO PAULO - A prominent task force of Brazilian prosecutors was officially disbanded Wednesday, marking the symbolic end of an investigative unit initially praised for tackling impunity among the nationâs political and business elite but lately under fire for allegations of bias in its probes.