Brazil versus Sleaze
A national corruption scandal has deepened Brazil’s economic crisis. But, as Linda Pressly finds in the poor state of Maranhao, sleaze is widespread.
Brazil is in trouble. Confronted with a massive downturn in the economy, its currency the Real has crashed, while its political class sinks in a quagmire of corruption allegations linked to the state oil company, Petrobras. But sleaze is not only the preserve of Brazil’s privileged, wealthy elite. In the northern state of Maranhao, a 25 -year-old former mayor is accused of skimming the budget of the municipality of Bom Jardim. Lidiane Leite – with a prolific presence on social-media - gained notoriety after it was revealed she ran council business remotely using WhatsApp. Prosecutors are investigating 10 people and a potential fraud of $4 million. Meanwhile in Maranhao’s state capital Sao Luis, Governor Flavio Dino, claims to have cut expenses by thousands of Reals just by removing luxury items like lobster and champagne from state banquet menus. Linda Pressly reports from one of Brazil’s least known regions.
(Photo: Lidiane Leite. Credit: Diego Chaves/O Imparcial)
Last on
More episodes
Clip
![]()
Clawing Back The Budget…
Duration: 00:43
Broadcasts
- Thu 7 Jan 201600:32GMTBBC World Service except News Internet
- Thu 7 Jan 201603:32GMTBBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean
- Thu 7 Jan 201605:32GMTBBC World Service Online, South Asia, Europe and the Middle East, East Asia & UK DAB/Freeview only
- Thu 7 Jan 201607:32GMTBBC World Service Australasia
- Thu 7 Jan 201618:32GMTBBC World Service Australasia
- Thu 7 Jan 201619:32GMTBBC World Service except Australasia & News Internet
- Mon 11 Jan 201602:06GMTBBC World Service Australasia
- Mon 11 Jan 201606:06GMTBBC World Service East Asia
Download this programme
Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes
