BRAZILIAN investigators are almost certain to be given documents connected to an alleged half-billion-pound embezzlement case involving the former major of Sao Paulo, following a Jersey Court of Appeal ruling yesterday.

Brazilian authorities believe that former Sao Paulo mayor Paulo Maluf (74) illegally obtained £500 million from dealings related to construction projects, including the building of a motorway and a mountain tunnel.

The information they are seeking is now likely to be handed over by the Attorney General to the Brazilian Embassy in London after major legal barriers were removed by the Island’s highest court.

Mr Maluf is alleged to have deposited the money in the Island via accounts in Geneva between 1993 and 1996, while he was mayor of the city.

Lawyers from four British Virgin Island companies have been trying to block the handing over of the documents through the courts.

It is understood that these companies are related to the Maluf family.