Brazil Federal Police formally accuse Rio governor of corruption
Brazil’s Federal Police have recommended that Governor Cláudio Castro of Rio de Janeiro face corruption and embezzlement charges. He allegedly committed the crimes while serving as a city councilor and lieutenant governor.
The feds say Mr. Castro pocketed around BRL 400,000 (USD 71,000) in bribes between 2017 and 2019. During that period, he served as city councilor and later lieutenant governor to Wilson Witzel, who also faces corruption allegations and was impeached in 2021.
The recommendation was made earlier this month, but only revealed by the news website Uol on Tuesday. For Mr. Castro to face trial, the Federal Prosecution Office must bring these charges forward, and the Superior Court of Justice (STJ), Brazil’s second-highest judicial body, must accept them.
The Federal Prosecution Office can also request that the investigations continue or that the case be closed.