BRAZIL: President Temer’s close ally arrested amid corruption scandal

Geddel Vieira Lima, a close ally of embattled Brazilian President Michel Temer has been arrested on suspicion of obstruction of justice for allegedly trying to block plea bargain deals that could sink the incumbent administration.

A statement by federal prosecutors accused Lima of trying to silence former lower house Speaker Eduardo Cunha and broker Lucio Funaro, who worked as fundraisers for Temer’s centrist Brazilian Democratic Movement Party.

Read also: Corruption charges filed against embattled Brazilian President Temer

Prosecutors also accused Lima who has been a close friend of Temer’s for decades and is implicated in a series of corruption scandals, of paying hush money.

Lima who was a minister for legislative affairs until November was forced to resign after another minister accused him of influence peddling.

He is the second ex-cabinet official from Temer’s administration to be arrested in less than a month.

 

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