JBS is controlled by Wesley and Joesley Batista, sons of the company's founder. In 2017, as part of a plea deal, the brothers admitted bribing hundreds of politicians. “It was the rule of the game," said Joesley. Read the story: https://t.co/XxJ51DtYlx pic.twitter.com/kgZ2gDr9pa
— The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (@TBIJ) July 3, 2019
Bucking mounting bipartisan outrage, the Trump administration this week issued another bailout to a Brazilian-owned meatpacker with a long history of corruption — meaning the shady foreign firm has now received more than $100 million in taxpayer cash meant for struggling American farmers.
Adding to such concerns, JBS SA remains, via a holding company, under the control of Wesley and Joesley Batista, a couple of notoriously corrupt Brazilian brothers who have spent time in jail and admitted to bribing hundreds of government officials in their home country. The Batistas’ business dealings are also under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department over potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
- Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said it doesn’t matter if the company is crooked because the money trickles down to our farmers anyway.
- Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) have asked the Treasury department to do a review.
- Senator Bob Menendez said the Trump administration’s relationship with the “rotten” company defies logic.
- Connecticut Rep. Rose DeLauro, introduced legislation that would not allow a foreign-owned company taxpayer bailouts.
- The Agriculture Department refuses to explain why JBS USA needs to serve as a middle man, instead of giving the money directly to American farmers.
