Marcelo Odebrecht: The shadow of a scandal that shook Brazil.

The name of Marcelo Odebrecht has resonated not only in business circles, but throughout Brazil and beyond, due to his role in one of the largest corruption scandals in the country's history. He is a civil engineer who led the Odebrecht conglomerate for several years until his career was abruptly interrupted by corruption accusations that led him to prison. The corruption case in which Odebrecht was involved has been classified as the biggest corruption scandal in recent Brazilian history, with ramifications reaching different spheres of public power and having international repercussions. The company, now operating under the name Novonor, has experienced a significant decrease in size and has faced financial difficulties, including a request for judicial recovery. Marcelo Odebrecht, son of Emílio Alves Odebrecht and Regina Bahia, had been prepared from a young age to take over the leadership of the group founded by his grandfather. With a background in Civil Engineering and a specialization in business in Switzerland, Odebrecht rose within the company to become its president at the age of 40. However, his career was tarnished by revelations of a bribery scheme involving the company in corrupt practices. Operation Car Wash, which began in 2014, uncovered the connection between Petrobras and several Brazilian construction companies, including Odebrecht. It was discovered that the company had paid million-dollar bribes to politicians, parties, and businessmen in various countries in exchange for benefits in public tenders. This scheme, dating back decades, involved the creation of a complex network of shell companies and foreign accounts. Confirmation of the existence of a department dedicated exclusively to managing bribes within Odebrecht came after the arrest of Marcelo Odebrecht. The businessman's secretary revealed details of how the department operated and provided records of money transfers, leading to the arrest of numerous company executives. Amidst this scandal, Marcelo Odebrecht was sentenced to more than 19 years in prison, a sentence later reduced to seven and a half years. Recently, in May 2024, Minister Dias Toffoli of the Federal Supreme Court annulled former judge Sergio Moro's convictions against Odebrecht, citing irregularities in the process. Despite this annulment, Marcelo Odebrecht still faces around 40 judicial processes related to the corruption case. Odebrecht's legacy and the scandal bearing his name have left an indelible mark on Brazil's history, reminding us of the importance of transparency and integrity in the business and political world.