Lava Jato (Car Wash) Arrests Former House Leader Eduardo Cunha; Government and Congress Fear Plea-Bargain

10/20/2016 - 11h23

Former Speaker of the Lower House Eduardo Cunha (PMDB-RJ), who is 58 years old, was arrested by the Lava Jato (Car Wash) investigation in Brasília on Wednesday (the 19th), 37 days after being removed from office and having his term revoked.

He no longer has judicial immunity. His probation (indefinite) was ordered by Judge Sergio Moro at the request of the Federal Prosecutor's Office.
In the order, he must answer to charges of corruption, money laundering and tax evasion.

"The dimension and serial character of the crimes committed over many years" represent a risk to public order, declared the magistrate.

He was transferred to Curitiba. According to the investigation, Cunha received R$5 million (US$ 1.540.000) in bribes in Swiss bank accounts, which came from funds diverted from Petrobras contracts in Africa.

Moro had previously issued a decree blocking Cunha's assets in the amount of R$220,7 million (US$ 68 million), the estimated size of the loss to public coffers.

The arrest provoked apprehension in Michel Temer's (PMDB) Government and among Congressional Allies who fear an eventual plea-bargain could reach the President and members of his trust, including Secretary Moreira Franco.

For the Lava Jato investigators, Cunha operated with influence in the Planalto Palace.

	Jason Silva/Agif/Folhapress
	Eduardo Cunha was arrested by the Lava Jato (Car Wash) investigation in Brasília and transferred to Curitiba

Translated by LLOYD HARDER

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