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Brazilian minister in fraud probe | Brazilian minister in fraud probe |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Police are investigating Brazil's energy minister over a corruption scheme involving public works at the centre of a major investigation. | Police are investigating Brazil's energy minister over a corruption scheme involving public works at the centre of a major investigation. |
More than 50 people have been arrested in the inquiry, the latest in a series of scandals involving politicians. | More than 50 people have been arrested in the inquiry, the latest in a series of scandals involving politicians. |
Silas Rondeau, who has denied any wrongdoing, is the most prominent figure yet to be involved. | Silas Rondeau, who has denied any wrongdoing, is the most prominent figure yet to be involved. |
During a visit to Paraguay with the Brazilian president, Mr Rondeau told reporters: "You cannot prove a lie." | During a visit to Paraguay with the Brazilian president, Mr Rondeau told reporters: "You cannot prove a lie." |
Undermining trust | Undermining trust |
In a report widely carried in the Brazilian media, police said they suspected the minister may have received a payment of over $50,000 (£25,000) from a company that won a contract to provide electricity to rural areas across the country. | In a report widely carried in the Brazilian media, police said they suspected the minister may have received a payment of over $50,000 (£25,000) from a company that won a contract to provide electricity to rural areas across the country. |
The justice minister later said the report was authentic, but there was no proof to directly implicate his ministerial colleague. | The justice minister later said the report was authentic, but there was no proof to directly implicate his ministerial colleague. |
The police investigation, called "Operation Navalha" - or Straight Razor - has focused on claims of fraud involving public works, including the building of bridges in isolated areas that were never completed. | |
An ex-governor, several mayors and ex-mayors, as well as several high-level state and federal employees, are among those who have been arrested as part of the investigation. | An ex-governor, several mayors and ex-mayors, as well as several high-level state and federal employees, are among those who have been arrested as part of the investigation. |
The incident is just the latest scandal to blight Brazilian political life and the fact that the arrests were spread across several parties seems likely to further undermine public trust. | The incident is just the latest scandal to blight Brazilian political life and the fact that the arrests were spread across several parties seems likely to further undermine public trust. |
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