Brazil's Chamber of Deputies President Cunha faces new corruption charges

Brazil's prosecutor general, Rodrigo Janot, said Saturday he was presenting two more corruption charges at the Supreme Court (STF) against President of the Chamber of Deputies, Eduardo Cunha.

Cunha has been under investigation for his involvement in the Petrobras corruption ring, according to Brazilian media.

"One charge has been received by the STF, a second is currently being tried and, if I remember correctly, six more charges are open against him, all for different illegal acts," said Janot to the Globonews TV station.

Eduardo Cunha, who is leading the impeachment charge against Rousseff, is accused of having undeclared accounts in Switzerland, with at least 5 million U.S. dollars, which he allegedly obtained through corruption in Petrobras.

Back in December, Janot already petitioned the STF to remove Cunha from office, stating that he was using Chamber of Deputies procedure to obstruct investigations against him.

A campaign is currently gaining momentum in Brazil to collect signatures in favor of Cunha's immediate dismissal. At last count this week, the petition had over 1.2 million signatures.

During the talk, Janot stated that the Operation Lava Jato (Car Wash), into corruption within Petrobras, was an independent matter, which would continue even if a change in government after a potential impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff.

"What we are proving is that this investigation will continue, independently of public or private interests. The legal process is being respected and the institutions are working," said Janot during his talk.

Source: XINHUA