[by:www.21voa.com]
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[00:00.20]Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the former president of Brazil,
[00:05.56]was charged this week with the crime of money laundering.
[00:10.72]Officials say they have evidence the former president and his family
[00:15.84]benefited from an unlawful real estate deal.
[00:19.88]That deal affected thousands of Brazilian families.
[00:26.28]Lead prosecutor Cassio Conserino
[00:29.80]explained families lost their apartments
[00:33.44]and lost their chances at being homeowners.
[00:37.44]Instead of apartments going to families,
[00:40.44]the real estate was destined for the former president and his family.
[00:46.28]He added da Silva and his family were under investigation for a year.
[00:52.20]The prosecutors allege that da Silva and his family were given real estate.
[00:58.32]Da Silva denies any wrongdoing.
[01:01.40]He said he is not the owner of the apartment in the coastal city of Guaruja.
[01:08.00]Money laundering charges have also been brought against
[01:12.68]the former president's wife and one of his sons.
[01:17.20]A conviction could result in a prison term of 13 years.
[01:23.44]The judge in charge of the case must decide
[01:27.72]whether to accept the charges and move forward with the case.
[01:32.52]Da Silva also faces other legal problems.
[01:37.72]There are charges and accusations that he accepted
[01:41.52]free work on his home in exchange for political favors and benefits.
[01:48.12]He governed Brazil from 2003 to 2010.
[01:53.56]He left office with a record-high popularity close to 80 percent.
[02:01.08]I'm Mario Ritter.
[02:03.56]更多听力请访问21VOA.COM