Brazil: Temer Included in Corruption Investigation

Senate-imposed Brazilian President Michel Temer will be included in an ongoing investigation into $10 million Reais (approximately US$3.07 million) in illicit funds that construction giant Odebrecht allegedly gave to his Brazilian Democratic Party, or PMDB. The order to include Temer in the investigation was made by Supreme Court of Justice, or STJ, Edson Fachin.

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Despite political immunity outlined by the constitution, “the investigation should proceed in order to, for example, avoid the dissipation of evidence,” Fachin wrote about the case. He also noted that the “constitutional protection” continues to shield Temer from being held responsible, but doesn't impede the “criminal investigation in itself.”

Earlier this week, Brazil's Prosecutor General Racquel Dodge also requested that Temer be investigated. This came despite the constitution barring him from being charged with crimes committed before being installed as head of state and as long as his presidential term lasts, according to Reuters.

Odebrecht allegedly made the payments to PMDB in 2014. At the time, Temer was serving as the country's vice-president.

His political affairs minister, Carlos Marun, criticized the move by the STJ, saying that an investigation into the president would only reveal that he is innocent.

Civil House Minister Eliseu Padilha and the General Secretary of the Presidency of the Republic Minister Moreira Franco are also included in the inquiry. In a plea bargain deal, Claudio Melo Filho, a former Odebrecht executive, told investigators that a private dinner was held at Jaburu Palace in May 2014 to discuss ways to transfer the money as a means of support for the political party.

The current investigation involves alleged favoritism of Odebrecht while Padilha and Moreira served as ministers at the Secretary of Civil Aviation.