Fernando Collor de Mello

When one is on the topic of governmental corruption in Brazil there is no doubt the name Fernando Collor de Mello will arise. Born on August 12, 1949, Fernando became one of the most corrupt leaders in Brazil’s history. After beginning his presidency in 1990 he tried to battle severe inflation, unsuccessfully, and soon turned to more self-seeking activities. Using his powerful political influence, Fernando Collor, aided by his financial advisor Paulo Cesar Farias, squandered millions of dollars received from unethical business deals before he was impeached in 1992. Instead of being a responsible leader for his country, Collor selfishly took advantage of his position in order to gain abundant wealth he would not have otherwise obtained. Though claiming to be a “reformer” throughout his career, Fernando Collor, himself, became one of the corrupt politicians he promised to rid Brazil of.

When Collor first came into office Brazil was going through a time of severe inflation. During some months the inflation rate would reach twenty-five percent! To battle such a serious problem Collor proposed a radical solution which involved confiscating the population’s savings. The country went through with this plan driven by Collor’s motto “no money, no inflation.” Unfortunately for Brazilians, this method never brought about any resolve. In fact, many experts looking back now say that Collor had no intention of eliminating inflation at all, but was rather attempting to lower the high public debt bill. Whatever the case, Collor, maybe too preoccupied with his unethical dealings, was unable to end inflation in Brazil’s time of need.

Throughout his presidency, while claiming to be a reformer all the while, Fernando Collor de Mello was involved in many “under the table” business deals that brought him great wealth. Alongside his financial and campaign advisor, Paulo Cesar Farias, Collor secretly squandered millions of dollars on vacations, properties and businesses. Most of the money that Collor obtained was through the business dealings of Farias, who in 1990 only owned two businesses but by the end of 1992 owned several multi-million dollar companies. Both men obviously used political power to their advantage in seeking self gain. Towards the end of the presidency many secret “ghost” accounts that Collor used to pass his money through were discovered. Allegations were also made that some of the money used by Collor and Farias was generated from money laundering and drug dealing. Collor was also found routinely picking up cash and checks from one of Farias’s businesses. To make matters worse, the president, in declaring his personal assets (probably for tax purposes) was accused of omitting revenues. Overall, Fernando Collor de Mello, through his scheming and unethical, underhanded behavior, severely betrayed the trust of the Brazilians.

It wasn’t until 1992, when Fernando’s brother Pedro accused the president of corruption that the truth of the presidency began to be brought into the public light. In May 1992, Pedro Collor, in an article for the magazine “Veja”, accused the President as well as Paulo Cesar Farias, of an illegal accumulation of wealth. By the first of June Congress had formed the Commission for Congressional Investigation, made up of 11 Senators and 11 Deputies, to look into the allegations made by Pedro. As the public learned more and more about the dealings of the president there were many demonstrations in favor of his impeachment. Though Fernando claimed to have nothing to do with the business dealings of Farias, the evidence was overwhelming and an impeachment vote was set for the day of September 29^th 1992. The outcome was in support of Collor’s impeachment by a vote of 441 to 38. Fernando Collor de Mello was to be impeached on charges that he “had protected and battened on a vast network of bribe-taking and influence-peddling engineered by his financial and personal advisor Paulo Cesar Farias.”

Fernando Collor de Mello, as part of a presidential address, once stated, “Faithful to its commitment to the democratic process, my administration…is sending to Congress a number of bills dealing with various issues ranging from strict punishment for public officials guilty of illegal accumulation of wealth…” This explicit hypocrisy will undoubtedly be marked upon Fernando Collor de Mello forever. Promising to bring reform to his country Collor turned his back on his people all in the name of his own personal interests. From his failed attempts at fixing inflation, to his corruption, deceit, and eventual impeachment, Fernando Collor de Mello will always be a mark of shame upon the spectrum of Brazil’s history.

-Joseph Gotti