Brazilian president to keep gov't secretary under investigation in post

File photo shows Brazilian Minister Chief of the Secretary Office of Government Geddel Vieira Lima (L) speaks with Brazil's interim President Michel Temer (R) during a meeting with leaders of the Chamber of Deputies and Federal Senate, at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil June 15, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazilian President Michel Temer said on Monday that although government secretary Geddel Vieira Lima is being investigated for alleged influence peddling, he will not be fired.
 
The Brazilian presidency's ethics committee decided on Monday to start the probe against Lima, who has been accused of influence peddling by former Culture Minister Marcelo Calero.

Calero, who resigned last week, accused Lima of trying to push his department to authorize a million-dollar real estate investment in the historical center of Salvador, Bahia state, in which Lima had personal interests.

Lima denied putting pressure on Calero about the matter, but confirmed that he discussed it with the culture minister.

Salvador, one of the oldest cities in Brazil, served as the country's first capital. The real estate project in question had been embargoed by the Brazilian historical preservation agency Iphan, which is part of the Culture Ministry.