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Rio do Janeiro governor removed from office for alleged corruption

Saturday, August 29th 2020 - 09:30 UTC
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The court ruling suspends Witzel, 52, from office for at least 180 days as authorities investigate claims he took 274.2 million Reais (US$50 million) in kickbacks. The court ruling suspends Witzel, 52, from office for at least 180 days as authorities investigate claims he took 274.2 million Reais (US$50 million) in kickbacks.

Brazil's High Court of Justice removed Rio de Janeiro Governor Wilson Witzel from office on Friday, as police raided his official residence in a probe into accusations he stole emergency funds to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

The raids also targeted the far-right governor's wife and inner circle. Among those arrested was Pastor Everaldo, an evangelical preacher and leader of Witzel's Christian Social Party (PSC).

Helicopters circled over the stately governor's residence, Laranjeiras Palace, starting at dawn as federal police executed a sweeping series of search and seizure orders and arrest warrants.

The court ruling suspends Witzel, 52, from office for at least 180 days as authorities investigate claims he took a reported 274.2 million reals (US$50 million) in kickbacks.

Prosecutors say Witzel, an erstwhile ally of President Jair Bolsonaro, set up a slush fund for bribes as soon as he took office in January 2019. The investigation is mainly focused on allegations his administration stole emergency funds for field hospitals, ventilators and medicine to fight the new coronavirus.

“This criminal organization acted and continues acting to embezzle and launder funds in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, sacrificing the health and even lives of millions of people,” Justice Benedito Goncalves wrote in his ruling.

The full 15-judge court is due to take up the case next Wednesday. Witzel vowed to fight the decision “by any means necessary.”

Rio is second only to Sao Paulo in infections and deaths from the virus in Brazil, which is in turn the country hit second-hardest in the world, after the United States, with nearly 3.8 million cases and 120,000 people dead.

Allegations of massive corruption in Rio have swirled since the start of the pandemic.

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  • Chicureo

    Jack Bauer — Admirer of Dionysus and slayer of mindless mendacious fools

    Pugol-H — The Exalted Prince of Colonia Nervia Glevensium and the thinking woman's heartthrob from the dark continent


    El Colorado update: Although the snowpack is near ideal, the was weather returned to cold and clear skies today — which we prefer especially with virtually no lift lines.

    My new pair of Rossignol skis are the ultimate glidepath to freedom and sheer joy! Because it's Sunday, I often reflect upon the wonderful quote by Fridtjof Nansen — It's better to go skiing and think of God, than go to church and think of sport.” (Forgive my sacrilege, but that's how I feel) — especially when schussing a downhill run with ma mariée exceptionnelle .

    The apartment is at full capacity, as our children and grandchildren have joined us for the few days. Our evening meal tonight includes Wayu steak au poivre, paired with my son's Caballo Loco (this occasion No. 4) which is marvelous!

    ¡Saludos!

    _____________________

    The convicted sexual criminal and avowed promoter of the abortion of full term healthy babies, I have a quote:

    “Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell.”

    It must burn a bigger hole in his expansive asshole that Bolsonaro clearly won a democratic election defeating the creature's Marxist heroes — the Marxist LULA and his slut DILMA plundered Brazil's national wealth

    What truly enrages Terry: Bolsonaro said he will defend “family values” and that “homosexual propaganda” threatens the innocence of children in school. He is a staunch opponent of the decriminalization of abortion and drugs.

    https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/10/26/its-not-just-the-right-thats-voting-for-bolsonaro-its-everyone-far-right-brazil-corruption-center-left-anger-pt-black-gay-racism-homophobia/

    — Tut tut, Terence Hill likes to shove Long Dong Silver up his slimy butt! —

    Aug 30th, 2020 - 11:47 pm +1
  • Pugol-H

    TERRY F*CKWITT (he’s as thick as pig shit)

    What about Socrates then, didn’t he have something to say about all this?

    And Mate, no need to tell everyone what you do with your hanky, just opens the door to more of the ridicule and derision that upsets you so much.

    Somethings about your “alleged deviant behaviour/fetishes” are probably best not mentioned.

    Saludos de Colonia Nervia Glevensium.

    Aug 31st, 2020 - 03:23 pm +1
  • Chicureo

    All the reasons why Terrence Hill considers avocado a superfood

    Avocado is popular fruit thanks to its particular taste and its nice texture. It is easy to eat and colourful, but avocado’s main particularity is the fact it can be added to a lot of recipes.

    It is nice and tasteful, but these are not the only reasons to eat this fruit regularly, as avocado is considered superfood.

    What does superfood mean and why is avocado considered so?
    Superfood is food that gives a high quantity of nutrients and antioxidants, as many of them that, if such kind of food is often eaten, we can take advantage of the benefits. Benefits on our health, from preventing illness and diseases to reducing dangerous elements, while reinforcing immune system. In shot: superfood makes us be healthier.

    There are a lot of products that can be considered as superfood, one of those products is avocado, which is often listed as superfood.

    Why is avocado considered as superfood?
    Avocado is superfood because it owns a lot of nutrients and antioxidants, such as folic acid, Omega 3, magnesium, potassium, lutein and fibre. Avocado is rich in A, C, D, E, K vitamins and B Group vitamins too. And that’s not all as it owns an important presence of copper, manganese and iron.

    It means that a regular consumption gives us a lot of nutrients. Nutrients are just names, but there are important benefits to human organism related to those names.

    21 good reasons why avocado is superfood
    Moreover the nutrients, avocado’s flesh regular consumption offers a lot of real benefits. Here you go some of the most important ones:

    Avocado fats are omega 3 type which has proven benefits on cholesterol reduction and heart disease prevention.
    It helps to stimulate immune system thanks to the actuation of C and E vitamins.
    It contributes to keep healthy skin by the action of E vitamin.
    It favours healthy hair as it contains greases and E vitamin.
    Eyes are protected thanks to lutein.

    Trust Terrence, but don't eat the pits!

    Aug 31st, 2020 - 06:08 pm +1
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