Brazil prosecutors explain charges against former president

SAO PAULO (AP) — Sao Paulo state prosecutors said Thursday they filed money laundering and criminal misrepresentation charges against former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva because of evidence he and his family unduly benefited from a real estate scheme that adversely affected thousands of Brazilian families.

The state public prosecutors' office brought the charges against Silva, as well as money laundering charges against his wife and one of his sons, late Wednesday.

Last Friday, federal investigators said they were looking into whether renovations at the Guaruja beachfront apartment and another project at a country house used by Silva and his family constituted favors in exchange for political benefit.

Conserino stressed that the state investigation was different from the federal probe because Sao Paulo prosecutors were looking into the ownership of the apartment and not into the renovations that took place inside.

Brazilian newspapers carried reports Thursday quoting anonymous sources close to Silva as saying he is considering an offer of a ministerial posting in Rousseff's government.