Ethics Committee awaits Vargas' testimony.
Even after announcing the end of the deposition phase in the process involving Congressman André Vargas (independent-PR), the rapporteur of the process in the Ethics Council, Congressman Júlio Delgado (PSB-MG), may, in a new attempt, hear witnesses and the accused himself regarding his involvement with the money launderer Alberto Youssef; Vargas said he has not received any summons.
Carolina Gonçalves - Reporter for Agência Brasil
Even after announcing the end of the deposition phase in the process involving federal deputy André Vargas (independent-PR), the rapporteur of the process in the Ethics Council, deputy Júlio Delgado (PSB-MG), may, in a new attempt, hear witnesses and the accused himself regarding his involvement with the money launderer Alberto Youssef.
The congressman was expected to testify last week, but he did not appear and posted on Twitter that the rapporteur had already issued his opinion on the case without giving him the right to defend himself. According to advisors to the Ethics Committee, the congressman could have attended the meeting scheduled for 11 am today, but he did not show up. Contacted by Agência Brasil, Vargas responded, however, that he had not received any summons. "I don't even know about it," he replied by text message on his phone.
The Ethics Committee's advisors responded that the congressman was informed of the new opportunity to testify via emails sent to the congressman himself and his lawyers. According to the committee, Vargas will have another "opportunity" to testify in the early afternoon today, at the session scheduled for 14 PM.
Vargas is being investigated for mediating negotiations for a contract between a laboratory and the Ministry of Health for the supply of medicines. The company, called Labogen, is alleged to be a front laboratory for Youssef, who was arrested by the Federal Police in Operation Lava Jato, an anti-money laundering operation.
The Ethics Council also scheduled another meeting for tomorrow (5). The board expects to hear, in the early afternoon, Vargas' chief of staff, Vanilton Bezerra, who has already confirmed his presence, as well as Labogen partner Leonardo Meirelles, and cattle trader Júlio Gonçalves de Lima Filho.
Delgado must present his opinion on the case this week, but for the vote to take place within the House's concentrated effort period, the report must be delivered by Wednesday (6). There is no further possibility of presenting new documents, but André Vargas has the right to testify again at any time, until the final vote in the Ethics Council.
The congressman denies the accusations. The case has created discomfort within the PT, the party Vargas was a member of for 24 years. In April, after the allegations were made public, the congressman himself announced his resignation from the party.