Brazilian President faces new graft probe

Sao Paulo, Sept. 13: Brazil’s top court authorised a new corruption and money laundering investigation of President Michel Temer on Tuesday, yet another case that raises the possibility of his suspension from office.

Supreme Court Justice Luis Roberto Barroso ruled there is sufficient evidence to investigate whether Mr Temer signed a decree in May 2017 to favor a company operating in the port of Santos in exchange for bribes.

Mr Barroso also authorized an investigation of Rodrigo Rocha Loures, a former Temer aide accused of carrying bribe money for Brazil’s leader in a separate case.

Mr Temer said in a statement that he “had no interference in the debate” which led to the decree and that he “accepted the deliberations and technical advice, without any kind of political pressure staining the whole process.”

Brazil’s top prosecutor, Rodrigo Janot, whose attempt earlier this year to put Temer on trial for a corruption charge was rejected by Congress’ lower house, will lead the new investigation until his term ends Sunday. Raquel Dodge, an appointee of the president, will take over as chief prosecutor Monday.

There is no deadline for the top prosecutor to decide on the case.

If Mr Temer should be formally accused by Janot or Dodge, Congress would have to vote again on whether the president should be put on trial.