Abuse of Office Act: the end of Car Wash, or necessary oversight?

It is no secret that Operation Car Wash—the sweeping corruption investigation which has hit private and state-owned companies in Brazil, as well as prominent politicians—has its supporters and detractors. Despite dismantling some high-level corruption schemes in the country, prosecutors and judges involved in the operation have been criticized for overstepping their bounds in investigations, claims corroborated by The Intercept‘s leaks of private messages between key Car Wash figures.

It is in this context that Congress has approved legislation known as the Abuse of Office Bill, seeking to define criminal and administrative punishments for officials who don’t play by the rules. Before the provisions can come into effect, they must be sanctioned by President Jair Bolsonaro. Upon choosing whether to approve or veto portions of the proposal, Mr. Bolsonaro will have to tread carefully in order to balance all of the political and public interests involved.

What does the bill say?

The Abuse of Office bill defines a number of practices and conduct as crimes, establishing specific punishments for each. Many of these abuses are already prohibited, but now carry more definitive penalties.

The legislation is seen as a direct response to Operation Car Wash, prohibiting some practices which became notable...