Brazilian authorities have launched a criminal investigation against Eduardo Cunha, prosecutors said Thursday, accusing the speaker of Brazil's lower house of Congress of money laundering.
The announcement came after Swiss authorities provided Brazilian prosecutors with details of four Swiss bank accounts in his name. The investigation was then transferred over to Brazilian prosecutors, as only Brazil’s Supreme Court has the legal authority to judge sitting lawmakers. Cunha has not yet commented on the matter.
Cunha has been leading the call for President Dilma Rousseff’s impeachment, alleging she violated Brazilian law by doctoring the state budget to allow for more public spending ahead of her reelection. Cunha also previously attempted to persuade the attorney general’s office to protect serving politicians with parliamentary immunity.
One of Brazil's most powerful politicians, Cunha has already faced a criminal investigation over allegations he accepted a US$5 million bribe as part of a corruption scheme at the state-owned oil firm, Petrobras. Cunha has denied those charges.