Brazilian president Michel Temer takes part in a "Year of Achievements" meeting to mark of the first year of his presidency on May 12, 2017.

Brazil's leadership lurched into another bribery scandal Wednesday, as one of the country's biggest newspapers accused President Michel Temer of paying a former senate colleague hush money.

Temer's office released a statement denying that he had authorized any bribes to be paid to imprisoned former house speaker Eduardo Cunha in exchange for his silence regarding a long-running corruption investigation.

The prominent daily newspaper O Globo reported earlier in the day that a meat producer had recorded the President giving the go-ahead to bribe Cunha to "keep quiet" while he was in jail.

According to the report, the information was revealed when the owners of the meat and chicken conglomerate JBS testified before the Supreme Court behind closed doors as part of a massive corruption investigation, dubbed "Operation Car Wash," which implicates former and current politicians.

The corruption probe has led to the imprisonment of some of Brazil's most prominent politicians and business owners. More than 80 people have been charged with bribery and money laundering during Operation Car Wash.

Brazil judge overseeing corruption probe dies in plane crash.

Ongoing corruption investigation has implicated dozens of politicians and business leaders.

 (CNN)