Brazil’s long running “Operation Car Wash” anti-corruption probe has taken a new twist with two offshore industry executives acquitted of corruption charges.
Seatrium, the former Sembcorp Marine, said in a statement that Guilherme Esteves de Jesus and Martin Cheah Kok Choon had both been acquitted.
Jesus and Cheah were both charged in early 2020 with money laundering, while Cheah was also charged with corruption in connection with drilling rig contracts placed in 2012.
Cheah is the former president of Estaleiro Jurong Aracruz Ltda, Seatrium’s shipyard facility in Brazil, whose employment was terminated in June 2015, while Jesus, who is suspended, acted as a consultant to the Singapore company.
Seatrium said that the charges, which had been brought by the Brazilian Federal Prosecutors Office (MPF), were overturned on 20 December 2023 by the Brazilian Federal Lower Court. Under Brazilian law, the MPF may appeal this decision.
Seatrium said the charges filed against Cheah and Jesus by the MPF were “in their personal capacities and not against Estaleiro Jurong Aracruz Ltda”.
“The potential outcome of Operation Car Wash is still uncertain, and the company cannot predict how the abovementioned decision by the Brazilian Federal Lower Court will impact the current investigations or allegations relating to Operation Car Wash,” Seatrium said.
“The company also has no control over and cannot predict whether investigations by the Brazilian authorities will lead to new allegations or investigations.”
Seatrium, which continues to provide its full cooperation to the Brazilian authorities, said it will “continue to monitor developments in Brazil and other jurisdictions with respect to this matter and will make appropriate announcements in the event of any material developments”.
The company said it remains “committed to the highest standards of compliance with the anti-corruption laws and does not condone and will not tolerate any improper business conduct”.
Earlier this year, Seatrium said the Office of the Comptroller General (CGU) of Brazil had begun investigating “alleged irregularities” at Estaleiro Jurong Aracruz Ltda.
However, in late April 2023, Seatrium said that it had been informed by the CGU that the proceedings had been suspended. No further details were given.
On 31 May 2023, Singapore’s Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said it had commenced investigations against the company and individuals from the company on alleged corrupt offences that occurred in Brazil based on “information received”.
The CPIB said at the time that as investigations were ongoing, it was not be able to provide further details.
