Brazilian President Michel Temer faces corruption charges

Associated Press

SAO PAULO — Brazilian President Michel Temer is being charged with obstruction of justice and leading a criminal organization in a case that could suspend him from office for up to six months.

Brazil’s attorney general’s office said Thursday that the country’s top prosecutor is accusing Temer of paying hush funds to a former speaker of the lower Chamber of Deputies and to an operator of his political group. Attorney General Rodrigo Janot also alleges that Temer is the criminal organization that operates in Brazil’s Congress and executive.

Temer has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

As president, Temer will only be on trial if two-thirds of Brazil’s lower house votes to suspend him from office.

Janot accused Temer of bribery in July, but lawmakers refused to allow those proceedings to go forward.