In his testimony, Machado said the campaign contribution was made legally by the engineering group Queiroz Galvao but resulted from a kickback on contracts with Petrobras.
According to Brazilian news site G1, Machado's plea deal includes the return of approximately $23 million to public coffers and home detention for three years. Machado would be allowed to receive visits only from lawyers, medical professionals, and close relatives and 27 friends.
Temer's press office would not comment on the case.
Temer took over the country's leadership almost a month ago after the Brazilian Senate voted to remove Dilma Rousseff from the presidency for practicing pedaladas fiscais — the practice of using public money to fund state or federal social programs without the approval of Congress.
According to various reports, independent auditors did not find Rousseff involved in breaking fiscal responsibility laws. But many of those who voted for her impeachment are being investigated. Those senators deny any wrongdoing.
The action of calling into question the integrity or validity of something.
charge of misconduct made against the holder of a public office.
A charge of treason or another crime against the state.
to formally accuse a public official of a serious crime relating to their job
especially in the US, the action of formally accusing a public official of a serious offence in connection with their job: