Economic adviser of presidential candidate being investigated for fraud in Brazil

Paulo Guedes, the chief economic policy adviser to Brazil's leading presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro, is being investigated by federal prosecutors for allegedly taking part in fraud linked to the pension funds of major state-run companies, the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The paper, citing court documents, said Guedes allegedly worked with executives with strong ties to the leftist Workers Party, whose candidate Fernando Haddad is in a runoff election with Bolsonaro. The document seen by the newspaper says the alleged fraud took place at state-controlled oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA, Banco do Brasil, state bank Caixa Economica Federal and the postal service.

A representative for Bolsonaro did not respond to a request for comment. It was not immediately possible to reach Guedes.