Police in Brazil arrest another ally of President Temer

Lima’s attorney, Gamil Foppel, said the arrest was “absolutely unnecessary” and that his client was co-operating with investigators.

The probe focused on Lima’s time as vice-president of state-run bank Caixa Economica Federal between 2011 and 2013, when investigators believe he fraudulently channeled funds to politicians.

Prosecutors allege that Lima ensured Cunha and Funaro received bribes and that he repeatedly called Funaro’s wife to ask whether he intended to strike a plea bargain.

Temer, whose popularity is at single-digits, is already at risk of being suspended from office if the lower house authorizes a corruption investigation against him. Suspension would require a two-thirds super majority to send the case to the Supreme Court, with a vote expected in late July.

Top prosecutor Rodrigo Janot is also investigating the president on two other counts: obstruction of justice and criminal organization. Much of the evidence has come through plea deals.

Lima is the second ex-Cabinet official from Temer’s administration to be arrested in less than a month. Two weeks ago former tourism minister Henrique Eduardo Alves was jailed in connection with an alleged corruption scheme involving a football stadium built for the 2014 World Cup.

Also Monday the presidency’s ethics committee opened investigations into Temer’s communications and trade ministers, both of whom are accused of corruption and deny any wrongdoing.

The committee does not have the power to remove them from office, but the probes are further embarrassments for Temer.

Mauricio Savarese, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Police in Brazil arrest another ally of President Temer

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