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SAO PAULO (AP) — Embattled President Michel Temer is exchanging furious denunciations of corruption with a leading businessman who alleges Brazil's leader was behind the bribes paid by business executives to politicians and government authorities in exchange for political favors.
Meatpacking billionaire Joesley Batista claims in a magazine interview that "Temer leads Brazil's largest and most dangerous criminal organization," though he provides no specifics. Batista is himself under investigation for fraud.
Temer's office fired back with a statement describing Batista as "the most notorious and successful bandit in Brazil's history" and it promises to file criminal and civil lawsuits against him.
Prosecutors have said they are considering charging Temer with taking bribes and trying to obstruct the investigation into corruption at the state-run oil company.
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