A central character in the political-police news in recent days, lawyer Cezar Bitencourt, who represents Jair Bolsonaro’s (PL) former assistant, Mauro Cid, reaffirmed this Monday (21) that his client will make a confession in the investigation into the sale of a watch received by the former president while occupying the Planalto Palace.
In an interview with the pay-TV channel CNN Brasil, Bitencourt was adamant that his client intends to make “it’s a confession”. He further stated that “the evidence is there. It happened, he (Cid) did it, he will admit it”, in reference to the sale of the watch in the United States.
Bitencourt has been known for his “bombshell” interviews, which are at the same time quite contradictory. To the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo, for example, he stated that he could give “20 or 30 versions” about the case. However, to CNN, he reinforced what he had already said: that the sale took place at Bolsonaro’s behest.
“The following was said: when the difficulty (selling the watch) was verified, he said ‘solve it, Cid, that’s up to you’. He sent Cid. the lawyer. When asked who “he” would be, Bitencourt added: “the president, the president”, in reference to Jair Bolsonaro.
:: Lawyer says he charged “close to millions” from Mauro Cid, who receives BRL 26,000 in salary ::
During this Monday’s interview, Bitencourt also commented on the ex-president himself, now ineligible, who spoke to the report of O Estado de S.Paulo last Friday and stated that Cid had autonomy to act – trying to hold the former assistant to sales orders.
“He (Cid) was an advisor, he knew the boss (Bolsonaro), I don’t know how long he had worked together, he is intimate. In fact, I saw the president’s interview and he says ‘Cid had autonomy’. He had autonomy within the limits of the advisory, what he is there to do. He received determination: ‘solve it there’, and he solved it”, he said.
When commenting on conversations with lawyer Paulo Cunha Bueno, who represents Bolsonaro, Bitencourt made clear the current position of Cid’s defense and called Bueno an “adversary in the process”.
“He is on one side of the process and mine is on the other side. He does his job, technically respectful, and I do mine, respectfully. That’s how it works. We are not enemies, we are defenders, lawyers. We have experience in this here. His lawyer will do the best for him. At least he will try. And I will try to do the best for my (client)”, he highlighted.
:: Mauro Cid’s lawyer claims that money from the sale of a watch was delivered ‘to Bolsonaro or the first lady’ ::
Investigations
Mauro Cid has been in custody since May 3, the same day that the Federal Police carried out a search and seizure operation at Bolsonaro’s home. Cid’s arrest took place as part of the Federal Police’s “Lucas 12:2” operation, which investigates alleged embezzlement of jewels and other luxury items for the former president’s private property. The value obtained from the illegal sale of official gifts may have exceeded R$ 1 million.
In addition to Mauro Cid, his father, retired general Mauro César Lourena, would also be part of the scheme; Army second lieutenant Osmar Crivelatti, Mauro Cid’s right-hand man; and former Bolsonaro family lawyer Frederick Wassef.
Editing: Vivian Virissimo
