RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – Brazil’s attorney general on Tuesday asked the nation’s Supreme Court for permission to investigate 54 people, the majority top political figures, for alleged involvement in what prosecutors say is the country’s largest corruption scandal yet uncovered.
Attorney General Rodrigo Janot’s request to the top court opens an expansive new phase of the investigation into the kickback scheme at state-run oil company Petrobras.
“We’re going to work with tranquility, with balance. Those who must pay will pay,” Janot told supporters who had gathered outside his office late Monday night. “We’re going to investigate. This will be a long process, we’re just now beginning. The investigation begins and we’ll follow it through to the end.”
Janot didn’t release the names of the people he wants to investigate – that can only happen once the top court says he can begin his work.
Under Brazilian law, a Supreme Court justice must approve investigations against federal congressmen, along with the top figures of the executive branch. Any future criminal charges or trials against such officials must also must be approved by and judged within the top court. The investigation, possible charges and any eventual trials are expected to take several years to play out before the court.