In Brazil, ethics committee recommends to remove Cunha from Congress

The Ethics Committee of the Chamber of Deputies approved today (Jun. 14) the request to expel suspended lower house speaker Eduardo Cunha, member of the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB), from the legislative board for breach of trust.

Voted by 11 to 9, deputies endorsed Deputy Marcos Rogério's recommendation and charged Cunha of breach of trust because he lied about having bank accounts abroad during a hearing of the congressional committee of investigation (CPI) on Petrobras.

According to the special investigator, Cunha has at least four Swiss bank accounts in the following trust funds: Köpek; Triumph SP, Orion SP, and Netherton. When recommending the removal of Cunha, Rogério said:

"We are facing the biggest scandal to be settled by this committee. This is not only about an omission, a lie, but about a plot to hide tax evasion, tax fraud," said the deputy. "

Cunha denies owning the accounts, but admitted possessing assets managed by foreign trust companies.

Proceedings against Cunha are the longest case examined by the ethics committee and were marked by several manipulations to postpone the decision made this Tuesday.

The Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL) and the Sustainability Network (REDE) had filed the complaint against Cunha with the Director Board of the Chamber of Deputies on October 13, 2015, but, by Cunha's manipulations, the ethics committee filed the case only on November 3, 2015.

The case against Cunha will now be examined by the house's floor. In order to remove Cunha from the legislative board, at least 257 of the 513 representatives (absolute majority) must vote “yes”.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta