Brazilian senator close to Lula resigns over alleged scam
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Brasília: Senator Jaques Wagner, a key ally of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has resigned as the government’s Senate representative amid an investigation into his alleged involvement in a multibillion-dollar banking scam.
While Wagner is stepping down from his leadership post, he retains his Senate seat and denies the allegations, stating his priority is clearing his name and supporting Lula’s October re-election bid.
The Supreme Court alleges Wagner received over $1 million in ‘undue economic advantages,’ including cash, an apartment, and private jet usage, in exchange for lobbying for Banco Master. The bank collapsed in November with $7 billion in debt.
As the presidential race remains tight between Lula and opposition candidate Flavio Bolsonaro, who also faces accusations regarding links to Banco Master, the scandal poses significant political challenges just months before the vote.
Photo Credits: AFP
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