Brazil federal police find evidence of president receiving bribes News
Brazil federal police find evidence of president receiving bribes

Brazilizn federal police announced on Tuesday that they found evidence that President Michel Temer [Britannica profile] received bribes to help businesses. Temer has been under investigation since a wealthy businessman provided testimony implicating Temer in a bribery scandal and alleging Temer took endorsement hush money. Temer continues to deny the accusations and refuses to resign. In a report, the federal police say they have enough evidence [AP report] to warrant a formal investigation into the president by the Supreme Court for “passive corruption.” The federal police also released video evidence showing the president’s aide carrying a suitcase containing money allegedly taken from JBS [corporate website], a meatpacking company, to be given to Temer. The president is currently being investigated for corruption, obstruction of justice and being member of a criminal organization. If the investigation is given to the Supreme Court, Temer will be suspended from office pending a trial.

Brazil has endured tumultuous times during which former presidents have been caught in scandals of receiving various bribes from various businesses. Former president Dilma Rousseff was impeached for corruption [JURIST op-ed] last year amidst a time of economic turmoil. In April Brazil Supreme Court [official website] ordered investigations [JURIST report] into eight cabinet ministers and dozen of lawmakers who are allegedly linked to the country’s so-called “car wash” bribery scheme. In May the Brazil Supreme Court authorized a corruption probe [JURIST report] into President Michel Temer and his alleged involvement with the bribery of a potential witness in a major corruption case. Former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was implicated in the scandal [JURIST report] warranting charges to filed against him, including most powerful politicians. In November lawyers for ousted former Brazil president Dilma Rousseff [Britannica profile] filed documents [JURIST report] alleging current President Michel Temer took a large bribe. In June Brazil’s top electorial court dismissed a case [JURIST report] against President Temer for alleged illegal campaign funding in his 2014 election.

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