MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Some 15 Brazilian presidential hopefuls have 160 cases in court, according to Folha de Sao Paulo

This group is led by Lula who was sentenced to 12 years in jail; president Temer is accused two cases and targeted by two ongoing investigations

At least 15 of the 20 candidates who might run for president of Brazil in the October elections are targeted in more than 160 cases in courts throughout the country. Cases range from investigations in the Lava Jato operation to traffic offenses, and while in some cases would-be candidates are still only under investigation, in others they are either accused, or defendants, or have been sentenced – one of them was even arrested: former president Lula da Silva (PT), who is currently leading the poles.

A survey by Folha de Sao Paulo in the country's state, federal and supreme courts shows that the Lava Jato operation and its ramifications, as well as other embezzlement investigations, are a thorn in the side of at least eight potential candidates.

This group is led by Lula who was sentenced to 12 years and a month in jail, followed by the country's current president, Michel Temer (MDB), accused in two cases and targeted by two ongoing investigations, Senator and former president Fernando Collor (PTC), who is a defendant in the Lavo Jato operation and the target of four other investigations. Also, the president of the Lower House, Rodrigo Maia (DEM), is being investigated in two cases in the biggest operation against corruption in the history of Brazil.

The former mayor of São Paulo, Fernando Haddad, and the former governor of Bahia, Jaques Wagner, who could run as a plan B in case Lula is not eligible, are also the targets of investigations.

The former governor of São Paulo, Geraldo Alckmin (PSDB), had his case recently sent to the electoral courts, which made him avoid the immediate sight of the Lava Jato operation.

Another would-be presidential candidate under investigation is Paulo Rabello de Castro (PSC), the president of BNDES, the country's state-run development bank.

There is a second group facing charges for statements that could be considered racial crimes. The head of this group is Jair Bolsonaro (PSL), one of the leaders in the poles in the scenarios without Lula, reaching 17%.