Controversy Arises Over Late Disclosure of Corporate Card Expenses
Meal Costs 26 Million Won, Ice Cream 2.4 Million Won
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is facing growing controversy over allegations of improper use of a government credit card during his term.
According to foreign media including AFP, Bolsonaro used 27.6 million Brazilian reais (approximately 6.7 billion KRW) on a government credit card during his four-year presidency starting in early 2019.
Unlike his predecessors, Bolsonaro did not disclose the usage details of the government credit card during his term, and in August last year, he even issued an order to keep the usage details confidential for 100 years. However, the usage details were revealed after President Luiz In?cio Lula da Silva, who took office on the 1st of this month, lifted the confidentiality order.
Bolsonaro repeatedly claimed that he "never charged a single penny of personal expenses to the government card," but it was reported that he used the government card during vacation periods every year except for his last year in office.
Notably, he reportedly shared the use of the government card with 21 aides. The government card is originally intended for paying travel expenses or small or urgent purchases. However, it was found to have been used for purchases such as hunting, fishing, and sports equipment, as well as bed sheets.
Local media reported that Bolsonaro spent 2.4 million KRW on ice cream and once spent 26 million KRW in a single day at restaurants. Particularly, controversy arose as it was recorded that 17 million KRW was spent at a single gas station.
However, Bolsonaro’s supporters pointed out that the amount he spent on the government card was only half of what the current president Lula spent during his first term from 2003 to 2006. Lula served as Brazil’s president twice from 2003 to 2010 and became the first three-term president in Brazilian history after winning this recent election, returning to office after 12 years. Lula’s supporters countered by saying, "Most of Lula’s government card expenses were for overseas business trip accommodations."
Meanwhile, Bolsonaro reportedly left Brazil and has been staying in Florida, USA, since just before Lula’s inauguration, after losing the presidential election in October last year and failing to secure re-election.
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