MAJOR

Brazil's President Charged in Corruption Probe

President Michel Temer allegedly led a ring of senior officials who raked in nearly $190 million in kickbacks.

Brazil’s top prosecutor charged President Michel Temer on Thursday with two crimes in an ongoing corruption probe. Prosecutor General Rodrigo Janot charged Temer with obstruction of justice and leading a criminal group for his alleged role in a ring of senior Brazilian officials who allegedly arranged kickbacks from public companies, in exchange for government contracts. The group allegedly raked in nearly $190 million. Six of Temer’s political allies are also facing charges for their alleged involvement in the group. In order for criminal proceedings against Temer to advance, Brazil’s Supreme Court must accept the charges, then send them to the lower house of Brazil’s National Congress. If the lower house agrees to start a trial, Temer will face a 180-day suspension while the congress reaches a verdict. In a Thursday evening tweet, Temer denounced the charges against him as being "full of absurdities."