Brazil investigates crime-show host on suspicion of ordering killings to boost ratings

Brazil crime-show host investigated in TV killings

SAO PAULO, Brazil — Brazilian police say the host of a TV crime show is under investigation for possibly ordering killings to boost his show’s popularity.

The host of the show in Brazil’s lawless Amazon region is also a state lawmaker and a former police officer. Prosecutors say he faces separate charges of drug trafficking and involvement with a gang.

Amazonas state police intelligence chief Thomaz Vasconcelos said Tuesday that investigators believe Wallace Souza “had crimes committed to generate news for his program.” He said Souza is being investigated in connection with as many as four killings.

Souza’s lawyer, Francisco Balieiro, said Souza is innocent and the charges are an attempt by his political enemies to disgrace him.