The New York Daily News reports:
The Trump administration has forked over more than $62 million — taxpayer cash that was supposed to be earmarked for struggling American farmers — to a massive meatpacking company owned by a couple of corrupt Brazilian brothers.
The Department of Agriculture cut a contract in January to purchase $22.3 million worth of pork from plants operated by JBS USA, a Colorado-based subsidiary of Brazil’s JBS SA, which ranks as the largest meatpacker in the world.
Both brothers have spent time in jail over the sweeping corruption scandal. Local prosecutors rescinded the Batistas’ plea deals last year after accusing them of withholding evidence. The seedy brothers aren’t allowed to leave Brazil as their complex cases go to court.
NYDN: Company owned by Brazilian crooks received $62 million in Trump bailout cash meant for struggling U.S. farmers https://t.co/fdPR0pMVDS
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) May 16, 2019
The Trump administration granted around $62 million in financial assistance to a meatpacking company owned by Brazilian brothers guilty of bribing hundreds of officials in Brazil. https://t.co/9Ry3mJFNaq
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) May 16, 2019
This @C_Sommerfeldt story is a perfect exemplar of the Trump era.
It’s got sweeping corruption, payoffs to cronies, foreign influence, a stupid trade war component, and Americans getting screwed while foreign criminals prosper.https://t.co/ERM4cJrxWk
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) May 16, 2019