State Prosecutor Charges Brazil’s Lula With Hiding Assets

March 9,2016/Bloomberg

The Sao Paulo state prosecutor’s office on Wednesday charged Brazil’s former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on allegations of hiding assets, just days after federal police detained him as part of a separate investigation into corruption.

The prosecutor’s press office declined to provide additional details when contacted by telephone. Newspaper O Estado de Sao Paulo reported the criminal charges are for money laundering and hiding assets, such as ownership of a seaside apartment, adding that prosecutors will hold a press conference Thursday to explain the charge.

The Lula Institute said in a e-mailed statement the former president hasn’t committed any crime and said the prosecutor responsible for the charges is “partial.”