Brazil's House speaker accused of being involved in organized crime

Brazil's Lower House of Congress Speaker Eduardo Cunha was involved in an organized crime ring within the state energy company Furnas, Brazil's prosecutor general Rodrigo Janot told the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

The lastest allegation came after new charges were brought against Cunha by Senator Delcidio Amaral, who were arrested in November on corruption charges, according to Brazilian daily O Globo.

Corruption scandal involving energy companies and government officials emerged and rocked Brazilian politics over the past year.

Presenting the document to the Supreme Court, Janot said the investigation seeks "to find evidence linked to a cell of a large organized crime group, specifically linked with possible illegal practices within Furnas."

"This cell counts as one of its leaders the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Eduardo Cunha," Janot said.

The criminal organizations "has operated for many years and through various schemes established within Petrobras, the Chamber of Deputies, and other public entities."

Once the case is opened, Cunha would appear before the court within 90 days.

Suspicions have circled around Cunha for corruption and money laundering for months, after Switzerland revealed hidden accounts in his name, containing millions of U.S. dollars, which he had previously denied.

The Supreme Court has opened a case against him on charges of facilitating illegal contracts and receiving bribes within the Petrobras corruption ring.

Janot also asked the Supreme Court to investigate around 30 other political leaders, all of which are allegedly involved in the Petrobras corruption ring. Endit