Bendine is convicted by Bonat in a case whose sentence was overturned by the Supreme Federal Court.

Conjur - Judge Luiz Antonio Bonat, of the 13th Federal Court of Curitiba, sentenced Aldemir Bendine, former president of Petrobras and Banco do Brasil, to six years and eight months in prison for corruption.

The case became notorious for representing the first major defeat Regarding Operation Lava Jato, Bendine had his conviction, handed down by then-judge Sérgio Moro, overturned by the Supreme Federal Court after his lawyer, Alberto Zacharias Toron, demonstrated that his client's rights had been violated.  

At the time, Toron argued that defendants who are not cooperating witnesses should present their closing arguments last, a benefit that had not been granted in the task force's proceedings. Toron's argument prevailed, Moro's sentence was overturned, and the case returned to the closing arguments phase by order of the Supreme Court.

After the presentation of final arguments, Bendine was convicted again. In the sentence, Bonat points out that the social conduct, personality, motives, and behavior of the victim are neutral elements. "The circumstances must be negatively valued due to the high amounts corresponding to the undue advantage requested (R$ 17 million) and obtained (R$ 3 million), in addition to the crimes having been committed after the launch of Operation Lava Jato, in evident disregard for jurisdiction and the effectiveness of the laws," says an excerpt from the decision.

Commenting on the decision, Toron stated that "the new sentence undeniably represents progress compared to the previous one. The penalty is significantly lower. The conviction is tied to a single act of corruption. Regarding this conviction, we will appeal with a view to achieving acquittal."