Brazil's President Faces Allegations of Influence-Peddling

Former Brazil's Culture Minister Marcelo Calero, who resigned last week, told the police that both the president Michel Temer and government secretary Geddel Vieira Lima had pressured him to overturn his rejection of plans for the construction of luxury apartments in a historic district of Salvador, according to local media reports.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Brazil's President Michel Temer has been accused of pressuring a cabinet minister to allow construction of luxury apartments in a historic district of Salvador, media reported on Friday.

Former Culture Minister Marcelo Calero, who resigned last week, told the police that both the president and government secretary Geddel Vieira Lima had pressured him to overturn his rejection of plans for the construction of the building. The president has denied the allegations, but admitted speaking to Calero about the matter, the BBC broadcaster reported.

According to media reports, earlier this week, an ethics panel decided to open an investigation into Lima over allegations of involvement in the scandal.

Temer came to power earlier this year, after former President Dilma Rousseff was impeached over allegations of manipulating the budget, which she has denied. Earlier in November, Rousseff accused Temer of taking a large bribe.