Brazilian police raid home of speaker Cunha and other senior politicians

Brazilian police raid home of speaker Cunha and other senior politicians

Lower house ethics committee announces investigation into Eduardo Cunha, a leading opponent of Dilma Rousseff, amid claims he lied about bank accounts

Jonathan Watts in Rio de Janeiro and agencies
Tuesday 15 December 2015 08.40 EST

Brazil’s impeachment duel has tilted back in favour of president Dilma Rousseff after her most strident opponent suffered twin blows from the police and a congressional ethics committee.

Two weeks after lower house speaker Eduardo Cunha launched proceedings to remove the head of state from office, his home was raided by detectives as part of the Lava Jato (Car Wash) investigation into alleged corruption at Petrobras and other major companies.

Hours later, the lower house ethics committee announced it would investigate claims that the once-untouchable politician lied about Swiss bank accounts. If proven, this could result in his removal from office.

The speaker is now fighting for political survival in the face of calls for his resignation and multiple investigations for taking bribes, including a recent accusation that he received 45m reais ($12m) from investment bank Grupo BTG Pactual.

More:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/15/brazilian-police-raid-homes-of-senior-politicians-as-corruption-inquiry-widens