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.