Marcelo Bretas: the new Car Wash face cozying up to Bolsonaro

After accompanying President Jair Bolsonaro to an Evangelical Christian event last week, Federal Judge Marcelo Bretas has raised eyebrows for his apparent political involvement with the current head of state

bretas car wash bolsonaro — Judge Marcelo Bretas. Photo: Tomaz Silva/ABr

Feb 18, 2020 19:23 4 min read (Updated: Feb 18, 2020 19:25)

Since Sergio Moro left the bench to become Jair Bolsonaro’s Justice Minister, the gravitational center of the Operation Car Wash corruption investigations moved from Curitiba, where Mr. Moro served as a judge, to Rio de Janeiro. In the Wonderful City, the new face of Car Wash is Federal Judge Marcelo Bretas, who has ordered several high-profile arrests, such as those of former President Michel Temer and former billionaire—and now “just” super-rich—Eike Batista.

Mr. Bretas has never shied away from the limelight; in fact, he has often reveled in it. However, his excessive exposure is now causing a negative backlash.

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Marcelo Bretas: the new Car Wash face cozying up to Bolsonaro

After accompanying President Jair Bolsonaro to an Evangelical Christian event last week, Federal Judge Marcelo Bretas has raised eyebrows for his apparent political involvement with the current head of state

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