Probe Ordered Into Opposition Leader as Graft Allegations Spread in Brazil

Brazil’s prosecutor-general has ordered the country’s Supreme Court to investigate a leading opposition politician as a probe into corruption involving state-run companies expands.

The scandal has engulfed numerous figures at the top of Brazilian politics as President Dilma Rousseff, who is not under investigation for corruption herself, is facing impeachment for breaching budgetary rules. A list of about 50 politicians accused of taking bribes included Senator Aécio Neves, but an investigation in to the 2014 presidential candidate was previously shelved, Reuters reports.

Now, Neves — who leads the Social Democratic Party (PSDB), the largest party in the main coalition opposing Rousseff’s government — has been implicated by a senator-turned-witness in graft at state-run power company Furnas, part of utility Electrobras. Prosector-General Rodrigo Janot also called for an investigation into a judge and a congressman from the ruling Workers Party, Marco Maia.

Reuters said the alleged scheme was similar to that at Petrobras, where company executives overcharged the state oil company for work and passed the proceeds on to politicians.

Both politicians denied the allegations.

[Reuters]