Fernanda Karina Somaggio
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Fernanda Karina Somaggio (born April 23, 1973 in Mococa) is a key figure in the major mensalão scandal in Brazil.
She worked as a secretary for the publicist and businessman Marcos Valério in his advertising agency SMPB. She gained notoriety through an interview she gave to the magazine IstoÉ Dinheiro, where she accused key members of the Brazilian Workers Party and the government of Lula da Silva of involvement in allegedly illegal activities in connection to her boss.
In a deposition in front of the House Commission on Ethics, she affirmed that Valério would make large withdrawals of money before trips. She also claimed that her boss would make financial deposits intended to benefit Brazilian politicians. As evidence, she presented a schedule containing dates and places she had marked for meetings between Valério and representatives of the Brazilian government.
Her accusations are seen as credible for many, but to others she has failed to provide decisive proof. Her former boss has accused her of blackmail in relation to the charges.
Recently, it was announced that she was in negotiations to pose naked for the Brazilian issue of the Playboy magazine, for a reported amount of R$ 2,000,000 (approx. 1 million USD), which she would use to enter politics. However, the magazine apparently did not agree to pay the amount Somaggio was asking for, and, as far as it is known, the negotiation failed and was abandoned altogether by both parties.
She is married to Vitor Somaggio and has a daughter.
