Political Probe Hints There Will Be a Purge in Brazilian Congress

The chairman of the Post Office Parliamentary Inquiry (CPI), senator DelcÀ­dio Amaral from the Mato Grosso do Sul state PT party, reports that as the commission enters its second month of work, it will speed up its investigations.

Amaral says that within ten days a report should be completed on 18 federal deputies who have been linked directly or indirectly to the monthly allowance payments (“mensalão”) or unregistered campaign withdrawals from the accounts of Marcos Valério.


The CPI redactor, Osmar Serraglio (PMDB-Paraná) points out that it is often difficult to distinguish between what is proof and what is just an indication of wrongdoing.


In cases where it is believed there is involvement in the mensalão, the case will go directly to the Chamber of Deputies Ethics Council for action, which could mean expulsion.


As for the non-registration of campaign financing, Serraglio sentenced: “The fact that this may have been generalized practice does not make it legal.”


The CPI is already sending reports of its investigations to the police and prosecutors, revealed Amaral.


Decisions on these matters will be made by the commission as a whole


PT Secretary Resigns


Already on a leave of absence from his post as secretary of Finances of the Workers’ Party (PT) on Saturday Delúbio Soares resigned from the party for “an indefinite period of time.”


Soares is being investigated by the party Ethics Commission after admitting that he used irregular methods to finance election campaigns. He has also been accused by deputy Roberto Jefferson (PTB-Rio de Janeiro) of buying votes in Congress.


Agência Brasil

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