Pay-for-Vote Scandal: Brazilian House Absolves Two More

Since the beginning of the so-called "mensalão" (big monthly) crisis, in which there was supposedly a huge slush fund that the PT was using to pay some members of Congress a sort of "monthly allowance" for their votes in favor of government projects, a grand total of two deputies have been expelled.

Four other resigned, four have now been absolved and eleven more await decisions by either the Ethics Council or a floor vote. In order to be expelled a deputy must have his expulsion formally proposed by the Ethics Council. If that happens the case then goes to a floor vote where 257 votes are needed for expulsion.

Wednesday night, March 8, the Chamber of Deputies voted to absolve Roberto Brant (PFL, Goiás state) and Professor Luizinho (PT, São Paulo).

Here is a breakdown on the situation of all the deputies accused of involvement in the "mensalão."

Expelled:
José Dirceu (PT, São Paulo)
Roberto Jefferson (PTB, Rio de Janeiro)

Resigned:
Bispo Rodrigues (PL, Rio de Janeiro)
Valdemar Costa Neto (PL, São Paulo)
Paulo Rocha (PT, Pará)
José Borba (PMDB, Paraná)

Absolved:
Sandro Mabel (PL, Goiás)
Romeu Queiroz (PTB, Minas Gerais)
Roberto Brant (PFL, Minas Gerais)
Professor Luizinho (PT, São Paulo)

Awaiting a floor vote:
João Magno (PT, Minas Gerais)
Pedro Correa (PP, Pernambuco)
Pedro Henry (PP, Mato Grosso)
Wanderval Santos (PL, São Paulo)

Awaiting a decision by the Ethics Council:
João Paulo Cunha (PT, São Paulo)
José Janene (PP, Paraná)
José Mentor (PT, São Paulo)
Josias Gomes (PT-BA)
Vadão Gomes (PP, São Paulo)
Onyx Lorenzoni (PFL-RS) *
Zulaiê Cobra (PSDB, São Paulo) *

* The last two names are indirected involved. Onyx Lorenzoni (PFL, Rio Grande do Sul) is up for possible expulsion because he is accused of leaking secret information from the Parliamentary Investigative Commission (CPI); Zulaiê Cobra (PSDB, São Paulo), is threatened with expulsion because she accused the PT of assassinating the mayor of Santo André, Celso Daniel.

Agência Brasil

Tags:

You May Also Like

LETTERS

Yes, there are prosperous and even rich Brazilian blacks. And they are not just ...

Brazilian Referendum on Firearms Ban Is Mandatory

Brazil’s Minister Carlos Madeira, acting president of the Federal Elections Court (TS), confirmed October ...

Doha-São Paulo Daily on Qatar Airways’s Boeing 777s

Qatar Airways, starting in June, will operate daily flights between Doha and São Paulo. ...

An Ethanol Pump in Every Gas Station Makes Brazil World Leader in Biofuel

Brazil enjoys a privileged position compared with other countries, when it comes to guaranteed ...

A Brazilian Success Story: from Grape Farmers to Fine Wine Producers

The municipality of Monte Belo do Sul, 121 kilometers away from the capital Porto ...

Muiza’s Fitting Tribute to Brazilian Music Legend Moacir Santos

At the time of his passing in August 2006 at 80 years of age,  ...

Brazil’s Fight to End Its Foreign Fertilizer Addiction

Brazilian state company Embrapa Solos (Soils), in partnership with the private sector, is developing ...

Powder May Help Reduce Water Evaporation and Drought in Brazil

A chemical powder may be the solution to the water evaporation problem in lakes and ...

The Scent of God

By Brazzil Magazine "I write to change the world… I really wanted to punch ...

Maniac for Education

Listening to Brazil’s new Education Minister: I have always dreamed of becoming the Minister ...