Brazilian Federal Police arrested 13 mayors accused of looting 117 million dollars in public money, authorities said Wednesday. ( dpa )
According to an official report issued in Brasilia, 11 mayors from Minas Gerais, Brazil's second-wealthiest state, and two from the state of Bahia were arrested.
Also arrested in the case were a federal judge, nine lawyers, four public prosecutors, four judiciary officials, a manager of a federal financial institution and a lobbyist.
More than 50 other suspects were still being sought by authorities. Defendants could face up to 20 years in prison on charges including criminal association, corruption and bribery.
The anti-corruption sweep was the result of an eight-month investigation involving 500 federal agents.