Marcos Chagas
Reporter Agência Brasil

Brasília – Yesterday the Post Office and Vote Buying CPIs approved a joint preliminary report drawn up by their redactors, Osmar Serraglio (PMDB-PR) and Ibrahim Abi-Ackel (PP-MG), respectively.

The report brings charges against 18 deputies, which could result in their expulsion, and former deputy, Valdemar Costa Neto, who has already resigned. The report now goes to the president of the Chamber, Severino Cavalcanti (PP-PE) who, it is expected, will forward it to the Ethics Commission where a decision will be made on whether or not to have a floor vote on expulsion.

The deputies are accused of illegal campaign financing practices, placing cronies in strategic positions in state-run enterprises and getting kickbacks from them, as well as receiveing cash payments in exchange for voting for the government in Congress. They are: Carlos Rodrigues (PL-RJ), José Janene (PP-PR), Pedro Correia (PP-PE), Pedro Henry (PP-MS), Sandro Mabel (PL-GO), João Magno (PT-MG), João Paulo Cunha (PT-SP), José Borba (PMDB-PR), Josias Gomes da Silva (PT-BA), Paulo Rocha (PT-BA), Professor Luizinho (PT-SP), Romeu Queiroz (PTB-MG), Vadão Gomes (PP-SP), Vanderval Santos (PL-SP), José Mentor (PT-SP), Roberto Brant (PFL-MG), José Dirceu (PT-SP) and Roberto Jefferson (PTB-RJ).

Translator: Allen Bennett