RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – Brazil’s top court voted unanimously Thursday to suspend the scandal-tainted and controversial leader of the lower house of Congress from his duties.
Chamber of Deputies Speaker Eduardo Cunha, one of the most powerful politicians in Brazil, is accused of corruption and obstruction of justice. A nemesis of President Dilma Rousseff, Cunha began the impeachment case that now has the Senate considering whether to put her on trial.
Justice Teori Zavascki stripped Cunha of his duties early in the day, then the full court voted to back that move.
Cunha’s office issued a brief statement from the politician, but said he would hold a news conference later.
“There is no chance I will resign,” Cunha said. He has repeatedly denied wrongdoing in all the cases against him.