World Cup, Olympic stadiums in Odebrecht scandal

http://www.dw.com/en/world-cup-olympic-stadiums-in-odebrecht-scandal/a-38433006

World Cup, Olympic stadiums in Odebrecht scandal

The corruption involving Brazil's largest constructor has spread into the sports world. Nearly 100 politicians are currently under investigation in relation to the ongoing scandal.

Recently unsealed plea bargain testimony from construction company Odebrecht said there were financial irregularities at at least six of the stadiums used during the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics. Brazil's top court published records indicating there were financial irregularities at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, which hosted the World Cup Final, as well as stadiums in Sao Paulo, Brasilia, Recife, Fortaleza and Manaus.

For the stadium in Sao Paulo, which was used for the World Cup opening match and a semifinal, Odebrecht executives originally stated it would cost $100 million (94.2 million euros) to build the stadium, but it wound up costing more than $300 million. Corinthians club, the club that currently uses the stadium in Sao Paulo, said in a statement on Friday it will investigate irregularities in stadium construction.

The Brazilian Supreme Court released testimony that said at least five Odebrecht managers confirmed payments were made to have "an unfair advantage associated with work on the Maracana stadium." The Maracana stadium in Rio underwent a massive renovation in the lead up to the World Cup and Olympics. A new roof and seating bowl were built inside the world famous stadium. The renovations were supposed to cost $200 million, but they were built for $300 million. An Odebrecht manager said former Rio de Janeiro state governor Sergio Cabral asked for bribes linked to contracts for the renovations, but did not say how much Cabral might have received. Attorneys for Cabral, who is imprisoned in relation to other corruption cases, denied any wrongdoing.
(snip)