Brazil’s federal police seek corruption charges against President Temer

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Brazil’s federal police seek corruption charges against President Temer

8:02 CAT | 06 Sep 2018

Brazil's President Michel Temer arrives to attend Soldier's Day ceremonies at the Army's headquarters in Brasilia, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Brazil’s federal police filed a report on Wednesday seeking to have corruption charges brought against unpopular President Michel Temer, which could lead to his suspension from office.

The report said an investigation had obtained evidence that Mr. Temer pocketed about US$300,000 in bribes from construction giant Odebrecht, which is at the heart of a regional corruption scandal.

Mr. Temer has survived two previous attempts to charge him. He has already denied any wrongdoing in the case.

Brazil’s top court said it received the report, which will be sent to prosecutor-general Raquel Dodge, who will decide whether Mr. Temer should be charged for the third time since taking office in 2016.

Ms. Dodge was appointed by Mr. Temer. The two previous charges were made by one of her adversaries, former prosecutor-general Rodrigo Janot.

If Ms. Dodge chooses to proceed, two-thirds of the Brazilian parliament, the Chamber of Deputies, would have to vote to suspend Mr. Temer and put him on trial. The body twice rejected previous charges against him.

Mr. Temer’s term ends on Dec. 31, filling the term of Dilma Rousseff, who was impeached for alleged mishandling of federal finances.

The popularity rating for Mr. Temer has been in the single digits since last year and he decided against seeking a new term in October’s national elections.

On Tuesday, Brazilian prosecutors asked a judge to approve charges against conservative presidential candidate Geraldo Alckmin. They accuse the former state governor of Sao Paulo of receiving illegal campaign contributions from Odebrecht amounting to US$2.5-million in his 2014 election.

Mr. Alckmin, who has struggled in the polls, denies any wrongdoing. His lawyers called the accusation “noise from a prosecutor” before the presidential election.

Source: The Associated Press