Brazil Court to Rule on Trial of Speaker of Lower House

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Brazil Court to Rule on Trial of Speaker of Lower House

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SAO PAULO — Mar 3, 2016, 2:16 PM ET

Brazil's Supreme Court is considering possible corruption charges against a key congressional leader — a step that could weaken efforts to impeach President Dilma Rousseff.

Eight of the court's 11 justices have already voted to allow charges against Eduardo Cunha. The head of the lower house of Congress is accused of taking $5 million in bribes involving a contract by state oil company Petrobras. Three other justices could finish voting Thursday.

Only the Supreme Court can bring charges against top public officials in Brazil.

Cunha is one of the bigger names implicated in the widespread corruption scandal involving alleged billions of dollars in bribes.

Analysts say charges against him would undermine the effort to impeach Rousseff over allegations she violated fiscal responsibility laws. Cunha has been leading the impeachment effort.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/brazil-court-rule-trial-speaker-lower-house-37374556

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. Brazil congressional speaker to face corruption charges

The Brazilian Supreme Court has voted to back corruption charges against the speaker of the lower house of Congress, Eduardo Cunha.

Mr Cunha is a rival of President Dilma Rousseff, He will be charged with bribery connected to contracts with the state oil company, Petrobras.

The court will rule later on whether Mr Cunha should leave his post. He denies wrongdoing and refuses to stand down.
...
The lower house's Ethics Committee has also approved an investigation into whether Eduardo Cunha should lose his position for lying to a congressional hearing by denying he held bank accounts overseas.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-35722628

[Judi Lynn]

2. Such great news. It was so long in coming, too. Had almost given up hope for justice.

[center]





Eduardo Cunha [/center]
If only they will treat this investigation with the seriousness it deserves.