Brazilian judge releases phone taps between president, predecessor

A federal judge Wednesday released phone taps of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and her predecessor, saying it showed evidence of Rouseff's intention to shield Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from a corruption investigation.

The wire-tapping was ordered by Sergio Moro, who is overseeing the sweeping investigation into the state oil company Petrobras scandal, which has involved dozens of high-ranking officials. Rousseff held a seat on the Petrobras' board of directors years ago.

Lula, president from 2003 to 2011, was also suspected of money laundering and bribery.

In one of the recorded conversations disclosed, Rousseff mentioned that she was sending Lula a "term of investiture" to be used "in case of need".

Earlier on Wednesday, Lula was appointed as Rousseff's chief of staff. The move bars any judge except those of the Supreme Court from trying him.

Lula's appointment, along with the released phone taps, sparked protests in some cities demanding Rousseff's resignation and Lula's arrest.

The presidential office later issued a statement, denying any attempt to protect Lula.

It said Rousseff made the call to inform Lula about the term of investiture, which is for Lula to sign in case he does not attend the ceremony on Thursday morning.

The statement also slammed the wire-tapping as a "flagrant violation of the law," saying it is illegal to record the president's phone calls.

Under Brazilian law, only the Supreme Court can authorize tapping presidential conversations, even indirectly, which means that, even though the tapped phone was Lula's, the recording should not have been made when it became clear that the president was on the phone.

Moro also released other phone recordings of Lula to the media, which he said indicated Lula's intention to use his connections to secure protection against the investigation. But Moro admitted there is no actual evidence of any wrongdoing. Endi