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Since the middle of last year the Brazilian political scene has been mostly dominated by a scandal that is known as the "Mensalão" (Big Monthly Allowance), a slush fund.
The fund was operated by an adman, Marcos Valério, and the former treasurer of the Workers Party (Partido dos Trabalhadores) (PT), Delúbio Soares, which paid a sort of monthly allowance to some members of Congress so they would vote with the government. A lot of people received payments through what is called the Valerioduct. But no one admits that the payments were a monthly allowance; rather all the accused say they were getting money to pay off campaign debts. That would make any wrongdoing an electoral crime; in other words, a misdemeanor. So far 19 members of Congress have been accused in the case, but only tree have been expelled from the House. Here is a rundown on what has happened to them up to the moment. Expelled: José Dirceu (PT-São Paulo)
Roberto Jefferson (PTB-Rio de Janeiro)
Pedro Correa (PP-Pernambuco) Resigned to escape punishment: Bispo Rodrigues (PL-Rio de Janeiro)
Valdemar Costa Neto (PL-São Paulo)
Paulo Rocha (PT-Pará)
José Borba (PMDB-Paraná) Absolved: Sandro Mabel (PL-Goiás)
Romeu Queiroz (PTB-Minas Gerais)
Roberto Brant (PFL-Minas Gerais)
Professor Luizinho (PT-São Paulo)
João Magno (PT-Minas Gerais)
Pedro Henry (PP-Mato Grosso)
Wanderval Santos (PL-São Paulo) Awaiting a floor vote: João Paulo Cunha (PT-São Paulo) Awaiting a decision by the Ethics Council: José Mentor (PT-São Paulo)
José Janene (PP-Paraná)
Josias Gomes (PT-Bahia)
Vadão Gomes (PP-São Paulo) ABr
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