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Renato Duque, Former Petrobras Director Convicted in Lava Jato, Target of New Legal Action for Damages Caused to the State-Owned Company
Petrobras is seeking compensation in court against Renato Duque, a central figure in the diversions revealed by Lava Jato
Who is Renato Duque?
Renato de Souza Duque is a former Director of Services at Petrobras, a position he held from 2003 to 2012 during the governments of the Workers’ Party. He was one of the key names involved in the corruption scandals uncovered by Operation Lava Jato, playing a central role in the machinery that diverted resources from the state-owned company in billion-dollar contracts with construction companies.
During his tenure, Duque acted as a link between companies that inflated project costs and political leaders, according to investigations by the Federal Police and the Federal Public Ministry. The diverted amounts involved systematic bribes in exchange for the release of contracts with Petrobras.
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Accumulated Convictions and Imprisonments
Duque was convicted in several criminal cases at the 13th Federal Court of Curitiba, totaling more than 70 years in prison for crimes such as passive corruption, money laundering, and criminal association. Although he partially cooperated with authorities at times, he became the target of an arrest warrant again in July 2024 for violating conditions and flight risk.
He was located and arrested in Volta Redonda (RJ) in August 2024, reinforcing the court’s understanding that he represents a risk to the enforcement of the penalties already imposed. The court decisions are public and are part of the procedural record of Lava Jato, one of the largest anti-corruption operations in Brazil’s history.
Petrobras Action Against Renato Duque
Petrobras filed a lawsuit demanding the return of R$ 15.7 million from Renato Duque. According to an article published by Gazeta do Povo, the amount represents financial damages caused by the unlawful acts he committed during his time at the company. The claim is based on decisions that have already become final, meaning they have no further avenues for appeal, and considers the direct financial impact caused to the state-owned company.
The company has relied on previous decisions to support this type of claim, particularly in the understanding of the Federal Supreme Court that damages due to corruption against public administration are imprescriptible, meaning they can be claimed at any time, even many years after the facts.
Petrobras Intensifies Recovery of Diverted Funds
The initiative against Duque is part of a broader effort by Petrobras to repair the losses caused by the corruption cases revealed since 2014. The company has already recovered more than R$ 6 billion through leniency agreements, plea bargains, and civil lawsuits. This information has been confirmed in public reports and official statements from the company.
In addition to seeking financial recovery, the state-owned company has also been reinforcing governance and corporate integrity practices in response to criticisms and image damage suffered over the past decade. The case against Duque is just another step in this ongoing strategy of accountability.
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