BRAZIL: Justice Admits Complaint Against Former Senate Speaker

(RTTNews) - Brazil's Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Celso de Mello has admitted an embezzlement complaint against Renan Calheiros (PMDB-AL), a senator who until recently was the upper legislative house speaker.

According to an investigation by the Attorney General's Office (PGR), Calheiros diverted money from the Senate in favor of a car rental company that allegedly did not render the service.

The trial votes' review was the last requirement for the criminal proceedings to continue. Now, defense attorneys will be able to present evidence and call witnesses to testify in favor of Renan Calheiros.

According to the piece, the senator has paid R$ 44.8 thousand to Costa Dourada Ve?culos, a Macei?'s city car rental company, between January and July 2005. A few months later, the company loaned R$ 178,100 to the senator.