Brazil's President Blasts Media, Prosecutors Over Probe

Source: Associated Press

May 16, 2019 9:06 PM
Associated Press

RIO DE JANEIRO —
President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday accused Brazilian prosecutors and the media of targeting his son in a corruption probe as an attempt to damage his administration, challenging critics to "come at me.''

Bolsonaro, who took office Jan. 1, made the comments while on a visit to Dallas, Texas, to receive a person of the year award from the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce.

Several Brazilian news outlets have reported that Rio de Janeiro prosecutors believe Flavio Bolsonaro, now a federal senator, bought and sold real estate to launder millions of dollars while he was a state legislator. Flavio Bolsonaro denies any wrongdoing. The Associated Press could not confirm the accusations independently as prosecutors have publicly remained mum on the news reports.

"Do they want to hit me? Come at me,'' Bolsonaro said. "They will not get me. Wings of the media, which you are a part of, are not happy with my administration, an administration of austerity, responsibility with public money.''


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