Court gives Deltan 15 days to pay Lula R$135,000 in compensation for PowerPoint presentation

The São Paulo court has given former federal deputy Deltan Dallagnol (Novo-PR) 15 days to pay R$135,000 in damages to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Workers' Party) in the PowerPoint case. During a 2016 press conference for Operation Car Wash, he showed a PowerPoint presentation portraying the Workers' Party member as the center of a criminal organization.

Dallagnol was the task force's chief prosecutor and showed the illustration to discuss the Guarujá triplex allegations. Lula accused the former congressman of violating his honor and image. The Lava Jato cases against the president were annulled after the Supreme Federal Court found former judge Sergio Moro (União-PR), now a senator, biased in his handling of the investigation.

In a note to Gazeta do Povo , Dallagnol thanked supporters who donated “small amounts that totaled more than half a million reais”, reiterating that “all excess amounts will be donated to philanthropic hospitals that treat children with cancer and autism spectrum disorder”.

"I was convicted for doing what I would do a thousand times over if I had a thousand lives: putting in jail, not in the presidency, those against whom strong evidence of corruption emerges. I did the right thing, I have no regrets, and those who should be convicted are the corrupt and those who guarantee them supreme impunity," the former congressman emphasized.

In March 2022, the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) ordered the former prosecutor to pay the Workers' Party member R$75,000 in moral damages. The adjusted amount now amounts to R$135,000. Two years later, Justice Cármen Lúcia of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) rejected Dallagnol's appeal and upheld the conviction.

In June 2024, the First Panel dismissed the appeals filed by the Attorney General's Office (AGU) and the National Association of Federal Prosecutors (ANPR), which defended the former prosecutor, and the conviction was upheld. With the decision, the case became final and binding, and no appeal is possible.

Now, the enforcement order establishes a 10% fine, plus 10% attorney fees, if Dallagnol fails to comply, according to an investigation by the UOL portal. For Dallagnol, society's reaction to this decision should serve as a reminder that "Brazilians do not want to live in a country where prosecutors are ordered to compensate criminals."

See the full statement from Deltan Dallagnol about the decision

"I was convicted for doing what I would do a thousand times over if I had a thousand lives: putting in jail, not in office, those against whom strong evidence of corruption emerges. I did the right thing, I have no regrets, and those who should be condemned are the corrupt and those who guarantee them supreme impunity.

I thank all those who didn't leave me alone and protected my family from paying the price of fighting for justice in a country where the corrupt rule. I also thank the more than 12,000 Brazilians who donated, without me asking, small amounts totaling more than half a million reais. You strengthen me and inspire me not to give up fighting for our country.

As I have publicly committed, all surplus funds will be donated to philanthropic hospitals that treat children with cancer and autism spectrum disorder. In due course, I will account for all the funds. In this way, what began as an injustice will be transformed into a blessing: Lula's attempt at revenge will be transformed into solidarity. Let us together fulfill what Paul said in his letter to the Romans: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Let society's reaction to this decision serve as a reminder: Brazilians do not want to live in a country where prosecutors are forced to compensate criminals. The bad guys will not triumph over the good guys.