«Two law-enforcement officials reflect on a Brazilian corruption scandal… Their thesis is that Brazil suffers from “institutionalised crime”, by which they mean “a fraudulent system that operates with the blessing on the nation’s power structures and the support of a network that pervades all three powers of the state… But their pleas for the independence of the Federal Police, and for more resources for the force, are well made. They are particularly scathing about the distorted priorities imposed by the war on drugs: tens of thousands of poor Brazilians have been locked up while the crimes of the rich and powerful have often gone unpunished.»

The Economist

«Uncovering a corruption scandal in Brazil… As senior investigators in several of the most high-profile Lava Jato (Car Wash) investigations, Jorge Pontes and Márcio Anselmo are well-placed observers of how Brazil’s corrupt politico-industrial complex functions.»

Patrick Wilcken, Times Literary Supplement

«Operation Car Wash presents an in-depth analysis of corruption and the case that shook Brazil … The authors provide an unparalleled view into what they term “institutionalized crime” as opposed to “organized crime.” The latter is the stuff of Al Capone—the former is what happens when the whole of government and whole of society colludes into expropriating the wealth of the state for personal gain. It is rare to get such an inside look at institutionalized corruption—corruption that runs from the legislative branch through to the office of the president, aided and abetted by the judiciary, and facilitated by corporate titans.»

Joshua Huminski, Diplomatic Courier

«The book reads like a victory lap around Operation Car Wash.»

Rachel Nolan, London Review of Books

«Pontes and Anselmo draw on their decades of experience in the Federal Police to offer a riveting account of the insidious insider game of institutionalized corruption in Brazil. The authors’ decades of experience in law enforcement enables them to authoritatively demonstrate how the political system has repeatedly quashed anti-corruption efforts, across a range of different presidential administrations, both before and after the massive Car Wash investigations. Readers of this fast-paced book will never think about Brazilian democracy, or systemic corruption, in the same way again.»

Matthew M. Taylor, School of International Service, American University

«Jorge Pontes and Marcio Anselmo have completed a necessary, detailed and brilliant job with the demonstration of the mechanisms of institutional corruption in Brazil. Going from the details of complex investigations to a refined analysis of a system that undermine democracy is no easy task. This book is not only the best analysis of recent Brazilian situation, but rings the bell for international research to assess every country’s level of institutional corruption.»

Nicolas Giannakopoulos, Organized Crime Observatory, Switzerland

«Márcio Anselmo and Jorge Pontes provide an intriguing account of Operation Car Wash and its backdrop - a criminalized state and the endemic corruption present in governmental procedure in Brazil. Based on their personal accounts as Federal Police officers, they take us on a journey that paints a picture of how institutionalized crime has become an embedded feature of political and economic life in Brazil. The book also provides an insight into the investigative methods that police use, the challenges they face in holding those to account in a system that has protected itself for decades, and the often comical situations that confront the police when dealing with those who think their elite status and entitlement make them immune to the rule of law. Although their focus is on the situation in Brazil, the book is of interest and value to those in the many countries where the infestation of corruption in institutions similarly fuels criminal activity.»

Dr Spencer Chainey., University College London, Department of Security and Crime Science

«Operation Car Wash confirms that corruption ruins all types of public policy and constitutes a violent offense. It shows how corruption undermines justice and rule of law, devastates the environment, degrades education, sabotages the economy and creates security risks. It shows how it kills people unconscionably left without access to life-saving health care and led to work in unsafe environments or operate in substandard infrastructure. The multi-level cost brought about by the abuse of power documented in these pages is infuriating, yet not demoralizing. It stands as symbol of hope, demonstrating how abuses at the highest level can be revealed and countered. It illustrates the power of honest individuals who have the courage to investigate and fight institutionalized crime and corrupt structures. It shows that even in oceans of generalized grand corruption, there are islands of integrity. Read this book and learn how you can fight sophisticated and well-organized corruption. Read this book and get stimulated to think of creative responses, measures and initiatives. Read this book and get actively involved in the global effort to bolster justice, increase accountability, and build a better future for yourself and your children.»

Professor Nikos Passas, Northeastern University, USA

«Car Wash, arguably the largest and most far-reaching global corruption scandal, was long overdue for a serious literary investigation. Pontes and Anselmo have accomplished exactly that in this compact, highly readable book, which should be a must read for anyone serious about weeding our corruption. The impact of Car Wash on Brazilian society and politics was far reaching and brought down many of the untouchables. It also entangled many other governments in the America’s. The authors offer useful advice to help avoid similar occurrences. Get this book you will not be disappointed!»

Ambassador Adam Blackwell, Development Services Group

«Pontes and Anselmo reveal Brazil as a state hijacked by organised crime with a justice system designed not to work. Their conclusions are drawn from the Operation Car Wash investigation into institutional corruption, but are just as relevant to the impunity that drives destruction of the Amazon rainforest today.»

Jonathan Watts, Global Environment Editor, The Guardian