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Breaking into Caretaker’s Account Didn’t Break Any Law, Says Brazilian Bank

The Federal Savings Bank (Caixa Econômica Federal – CEF) issued an official note communicating that the internal commission, which investigated the violation of the banking secrecy of the caretaker Francenildo dos Santos Costa, concluded that employees directly involved in the situation did not break the law, or the institution’s internal rules.

Costa had his account examined and information about a large amount deposited in his name was leaked to the weekly magazine í‰poca after the caretaker testified that he had seen former Finance Minister, Antonio Palocci, visiting a house known as a hub for prostitution and distribution of illegal money.

The leak intended to discredit the man. Officials in the Lula administration seemed interested in painting the caretaker as someone receiving money from the opposition to denigrate Palocci. The deposit – it was later revealed – had been made by Costa’s father.

According to the note, internal investigations followed the rules rigorously, assured employees’ right to full defense, and gave autonomy to the commission.

CEF’s ex President, Jorge Mattoso, was not evaluated by the commission, because, the note says, he was not an employee of the institution and his participation is being investigated by the Federal Police.

CEF informed that it will wait for the conclusions of the Federal Police investigations, and for the report analysis of the Federal Comptroller-General’s Office (CGU).

After the illegal leak to the news of the caretaker’s bank records, an investigation was initiated to find out who was responsible for the crime of violation of bank secrecy.

The Federal Police has already indicted Jorge Mattoso and the ex Minister of Finance, Antonio Palocci, for being involved in the case.

Agência Brasil

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