Former accountant of Youssef: "I never extorted Argôlo"
Meire Poza stated in a press interview at the Chamber of Deputies that she did not attempt to extort money from Congressman Luiz Argôlo (SD-BA), contrary to what the congressman said yesterday in his testimony to the Ethics and Parliamentary Decorum Council; the accountant passed on to journalists a portion of the alleged conversation she had with Argôlo's lawyer, Aluisio Lundgren: "Luiz Argôlo lied. I never extorted him, I never blackmailed him. I never mentioned money. I have no debt," she said.
Lara Haje, from the Chamber of Deputies News Agency - Former accountant of money launderer Alberto Youssef, Meire Poza, stated this Wednesday (3), in an interview with the press at the Chamber of Deputies, that she did not try to extort money from deputy Luiz Argôlo (SD-BA), contrary to what the parliamentarian said yesterday, in testimony to the Ethics and Parliamentary Decorum Council.
Argôlo stated that Meire Poza had requested R$ 250 from his lawyer, claiming to be in financial difficulties. Last month, Meire told the Ethics Committee that Argôlo had benefited from transfers of R$ 1 million from Youssef to two companies in Ceará. The congressman is facing proceedings for breach of parliamentary decorum due to alleged links to the illegal dealings of the money launderer, who was arrested in the Federal Police's Lava Jato operation.
"Luiz Argôlo lied. I never extorted him, I never blackmailed him. I never mentioned money. I have no debts," said Meire. "I deeply regret that Congressman Luiz Argôlo chose this path over the path of dignity. He could have chosen to leave the scene," she added.
Recording of the accountant
The accountant passed on to journalists a two-minute excerpt of the alleged conversation she had with Argôlo's lawyer, Aluisio Lundgren. "I live my life, I have my business, I don't need to extort, I don't need to ask anything of anyone. I find this humiliating, I have no intention of doing that. I just want to resolve this, I just want to try to get out of this mess in the best way possible," she allegedly told the lawyer. In the recording, the congressman's lawyer reportedly asked her not to tell anyone about their meeting and said that the congressmen know that Argôlo had dealings with Youssef.
Poza refused to release the full recording to the press, arguing that the conversation was "low" and embarrassing for her, but said she would present it in court. According to her, the conversation lasted four hours.
Congressman Marcos Rogério (PDT-RO), rapporteur of the case against Luiz Argôlo, said that Meire Poza's statements to the press today will not be taken into account in the proceedings: "The investigation was already concluded yesterday, with the testimony of Congressman Argôlo. Any document or testimony that I take from now on is considered illicit evidence, an invalid document, which could even lead to the annulment of the proceedings. Therefore, I cannot request the inclusion of either documents or statements that she made to the press today."
Marcos Rogério said he will deliver his opinion soon. The president of the Ethics Council, Deputy Ricardo Izar (PSD-SP), informed that he will try to schedule the vote on the report for October 1st.
So far, the reporter has been unable to contact Congressman Luiz Argôlo.