Eike Batista: Brazilian ex-billionaire jailed for bribery

-

A Brazilian oil and mining magnate, who was once one of the richest men in the world, has been sentenced to 30 years in jail after a corruption trial.

Eike Batista had an estimated worth of more than $35bn (£27bn) six years ago, but lost most of it as his empire collapsed.

He was found guilty of bribing former Rio de Janeiro governor Sergio Cabral.

Batista paid more than £16m to foreign bank accounts held by Mr Cabral in exchange for contracts with Rio State.

Who is Eike Batista?

  • Seen by many as the face of Brazilian capitalism
  • Bold, extravagant and charismatic, he made most of his fortune during the commodities boom that brought great wealth to Brazil
  • Listed in 2012 by Forbes Magazine as the world’s seventh-richest man, with an estimated fortune of $35bn
  • His Grupo EBX conglomerate spanned mining, oil, shipbuilding and logistics
  • After EBX collapsed following a crash in demand for commodities, his wealth slumped to under $1bn