CONFLICTS

Ex-exec: paid millions in bribes to Brazil president party

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Brazil's President Michel Temer speaks with his Justice Minister during a ceremony at the Planalto presidential palace, in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, April 12, 2017. Brazil's Supreme Court announced corruption investigations into eight ministers and dozens more top politicians in a sweeping decision that affects almost one third of embattled President Michel Temer's Cabinet and many of his top allies. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) (The Associated Press)

Brazil's President Michel Temer smiles during a ceremony at the Planalto presidential palace, in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, April 12, 2017. Brazil's Supreme Court announced corruption investigations into eight ministers and dozens more top politicians in a sweeping decision that affects almost one third of embattled President Michel Temer's Cabinet and many of his top allies. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) (The Associated Press)

A gallery of former Brazilian presidents, from left to right, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Dilma Rousseff hang in the main entrance corridor of the Planalto presidential palace, in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, April 12, 2017. Brazil's Supreme Court announced corruption investigations into eight ministers and dozens more top politicians in a sweeping decision that affects almost one third of embattled President Michel Temer's Cabinet and many of his top allies. The three ex-presidents are included in the investigations. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) (The Associated Press)

A former construction executive says his company paid $40 million to Brazilian President Michel Temer's party and another party to ensure a contract with the state oil company.

In plea bargain testimony released late Wednesday, Marcio Faria says he was in a meeting with Temer and other politicians to "bless" the deal in 2010. Faria said no figures were discussed at the meeting, but the deal was clear: Odebrecht would pay the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party 5 percent of the value of a pending contract with Petrobras. That amounted to around $40 million.

Faria says Temer's party later decided to cut in the Workers' Party. At the time, Temer was the vice-presidential candidate on a ticket with Workers' Party presidential candidate Dilma Rousseff.

Temer's office denies the accusations.