Aide to Deposed Brazil Chief Admits Depositing Funds

A top aide of former President Fernando Collor de Mello testified Monday that he deposited millions of dollars in excess campaign funds for his boss and that he would “not take the rap alone.”

Paulo Cesar Farias was questioned in the Supreme Court on his role in a corruption scandal that led to Collor’s impeachment and resignation last year.

Farias was Collor’s campaign treasurer in 1989 and the alleged mastermind of a scheme that reportedly skimmed millions of dollars from government projects and private business executives. Farias, Collor and six other people have been charged with corruption.

The squat, balding financier testified that he had deposited $8 million in various bank accounts for the personal expenses of Collor’s family.

He said the money was part of $28 million left over from $100 million collected to finance the campaigns of Collor’s allies.

Collor, however, testified last week that $25 million was left over.

Farias also startled the court by admitting that he had deposited the money under a false name to avoid paying taxes. But he said the bank’s president authorized the deposit. Tax evasion in Brazil is common.

“I will not take the rap for this alone,” Farias said, promising to reveal the names of those who contributed to Collor’s campaign.

“All this is the result of a hypocritical electoral system,” he said.

The 1989 election was the first direct presidential balloting after 21 years of military rule.

Collor is barred from holding public office for eight years. He also faces up to eight years in prison if convicted of corruption.