Brazil former house speaker Cunha sentenced to 15 years in jail

Federal Judge Sergio Moro, of the 13th Federal Court of Curitiba, sentenced Brazil's former lower house speaker Eduardo Cunha to 15 years and four months in jail for the crimes of passive corruption, money laundering, and illegal transfer of funds overseas. In addition to the imprisonment, a fine of over $70 thousand is to be paid by the former congress member.

The sentence was made public late in the morning today (Mar. 30). As the sentence was handed down by a judge, Cunha may appeal against the decision to a higher court. Moro's ruling, however, mandates that the former lawmaker faces the charges in custody even if he decides to file an appeal.

The time Cunha is to serve in jail corresponds to six years for passive corruption, five years and ten months for money laundering, and three years and six months for the illegal transfer of funds abroad.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira