Rio Governor Faces Impeachment Over Allegations of Embezzling COVID-19 Funds

The Rio De Janeiro state legislature have voted to open impeachment proceedings against Governor Wilson Witzel over accusations that he embezzled funds for fighting the coronavirus pandemic.

With 69 votes in favor and one abstention, legislators in the state Brazil’s second-hardest-hit in the pandemic, after Sao Paulo passed a motion to open an impeachment commission to investigate the allegations.

It was one of 14 impeachment motions facing Witzel, a former ally of president Jair Bolsonaro who denies the allegations and accuses the far-right leader of political persecution.