Corruption investigation nabs Brazil’s president

Brazilian President Michel Temer was charged with obstruction of justice and leading a criminal organisation yesterday, another blow to the embattled leader and the stability of Latin America’s largest nation.

In widely expected filings to the country’s top court, Attorney General Rodrigo Janot accused Temer’s Brazilian Democratic Movement Party of receiving nearly US$190 million in bribes in a scheme to trade in political favours and influence.

‘‘Temer gave the needed stability and security to the criminal apparatus, appearing at the same time as the leader and foundation of the organisation,’' Janot said in the indictment.

He also accused Temer of instigating the payment of hush money to jailed former Speaker Eduardo Cunha and to a political operator – both of whom he allegedly feared could give evidence on him.

As a sitting president, Temer will only be put on trial if twothirds of Brazil’s lower house votes to suspend him from office.

Temer called the indictment ‘‘filled with absurdities’'. ‘‘The attorney general continues his irresponsible march to cover up his own failings.’'

The charges are the latest bombshell in Brazil’s sprawling corruption investigation, which began as a probe into money laundering and ended up uncovering systemic graft in Brazil’s halls of power.

Janot alleged on Thursday that Brazil’s government was essentially run like a cartel for years –

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beginning during the administration of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva – as money was doled out in exchange for votes or plush political appointments.

Temer only became the leader of that criminal organisation when he took power last year after President Dilma Rousseff was impeached and removed from office, Janot said.

Janot alleged that, before Temer took power, members of his party sought to put a stop to the corruption investigation. When they failed, Janot said, they decided to withdraw their support for Rousseff and seek her impeachment – presumably because they thought putting one of their own in the presidential palace would offer them some protection.

Janot said the participants should pay US$17m in fines.

‘‘Brazil has never witnessed a crisis of this proportion,’' said Bar Association chairman Claudio Lamachia. ‘‘But state institutions have been rigid and aware in fulfilling their mission.’'

Along with Temer, eight others were charged. Two are senior members of his Cabinet: his chief of staff, Eliseu Padilha, and Secretary-General Wellington Moreira Franco. The other six, including businessmen and politicians, are already in jail, underscoring how far the investigation has already spread.

This is the second time Temer has been charged this year. In August lawmakers refused to allow the previous bribery charge to move forward. – AP