Former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil was sentenced to 13 more years in prison following his conviction in a graft case.

According to the case, Lula accepted bribes from construction companies in the form of a USD $235,000 home renovation in exchange for awarding the companies government contracts. Lula denied any wrongdoing claiming that his name was not on the title of the house, but court documents were presented which proved otherwise.

This is the latest in a series of cases by the country’s prosecutors going after corruption of the left-wing party during Lula’s terms as president. Lula who is continuing to appeal his original conviction up the country’s court system is expected to appeal this conviction as well. Lula does, however, remain a defendant in at least 6 additional lawsuits.

Lula left the presidency with a high approval rating and was expected to win a third term, but was prevented from running after the corruption investigations began. Lula’s supporters claim this is political persecution by the right-wing party to prevent the still incredibly popular Lula from running again.