Brazil’s Lula Charged With Money Laundering

State prosecutors Jose Carlos Blat, left, Cassio Roberto Conserino, center, and Fernando Henrique de Moraes Araujo, responsible for the charges against Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, arrive for a press conference.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the former president of Brazil, was charged this week with the crime of money laundering.

Officials say they have evidence the former president and his family benefited from an unlawful real estate deal. That deal affected thousands of Brazilian families.

Lead prosecutor Cassio Conserino explained families lost their apartments and lost their chances at being homeowners. Instead of apartments going to families, the real estate was destined for the former president and his family.

He added da Silva and his family were under investigation for a year.

Former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

The prosecutors allege that da Silva and his family were given real estate.

Da Silva denies any wrongdoing. He said he is not the owner of the apartment in the coastal city of Guaruja.

Money laundering charges have also been brought against the former president’s wife and one of his sons. A conviction could result in a prison term of 13 years.

The judge in charge of the case must decide whether to accept the charges and move forward with the case.

Da Silva also faces other legal problems. There are charges and accusations that he accepted free work on his home in exchange for political favors and benefits.

Da Silva governed Brazil from 2003 to 2010. He left office with a record-high popularity close to 80 percent.

I’m Mario Ritter.

The Associated Press reported on this story. Jim Dresbach adapted the report for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor.

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Words in This Story

money launderingv. the concealment of the origins of illegally obtained money

real estaten. property such as buildings or land

apartmentn. a number of rooms that are part of a building and used as a place to live

destinedv. meant for

allegev. accuse; to state without proof

convictionn. the act of proving that a person is guilty of a crime in a court of law

favorsn. kind or helpful acts that you do for someone