Brazil lawmaker argues against putting president on trial
A Brazilian lawmaker is recommending that his colleagues vote against putting President Michel Temer on trial on charges of leading a criminal organization and obstructing justice.
Last month, then-Attorney General Rodrigo Janot presented an indictment in which he accused Temer's Brazilian Democratic Movement Party of receiving nearly $190 million in bribes in exchange for political favors and influence. He said that Temer led the "criminal apparatus."
He also accused Temer of initiating the payment of hush money to jailed former Chamber of Deputies Speaker Eduardo Cunha and to a political operator — both of whom he allegedly feared could give damning evidence against him.
Bonifacio de Andrada, who was appointed to study the accusation and make a recommendation, told lawmakers Tuesday that the indictment doesn't offer sufficient proof of wrongdoing.
