Rio de Janeiro governor impeachment confirmed over alleged COVID-19-related graft

SAO PAULO (Reuters) – A Brazilian court confirmed on Friday the impeachment of Rio de Janeiro’s state governor Wilson Witzel over alleged graft in the purchase of medical supplies and services to fight the COVID-19 outbreak.

© Reuters/PILAR OLIVARES
Rio de Janeiro Governor Wilson Witzel speaks to the media at Laranjeiras Palace, in Rio de Janeiro

Witzel, who denies any wrongdoing, had been temporarily removed from power in August 2020.

Investigations by Brazilian prosecutors say that Witzel bought 700 million reais ($128.76 million) in ventilators which have never been delivered to treat COVID-19 patients.

($1 = 5.4366 reais)

(Reporting by Pedro Fonseca, writing by Carolina Mandl; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)