Iolando Lourenço and Juliana Cézar Nunes
Reporters Agência Brasil

Brasília - The expulsion of deputy Roberto Jefferson (PTB-RJ) last night occurred exactly 98 days after a motion for his expulsion was brought before the Ethics Council. The motion came from the PL after Jefferson denounced a payoff scheme in Congress in which some members of parties allied with the government (such as the PL) were receiving monthly payments to ensure that they voted with the government.

Jefferson also confessed to receiving US$1.7 million (R$4 million) from the PT for 2002 election expenses. That is an electoral crime.

With 257 votes needed to expel, the motion got 313 votes. Besides losing his seat in Congress, Jefferson will not be able to run for office again until 2015.

According to Jairo Carneiro (PFL-BA), redactor of the expulsion process, the expulsion of Jefferson is the first step in renewing congressional prestige and popular trust in the body. "This decision came at a crucial moment in the history of the Brazilian legislative branch of government," he said.

However, the leader of the PTB, Jose Mucio (PE) said "This is a loss for Congress and the country. The public did not want Jefferson expelled," he said.

Translator: Allen Bennett