One has discovered evidence that pharmaceutical companies are charging over the odds for medicines. The other, into drug trafficking, has accused politicians of involvement in the narcotics business. The problem is that the Brazilian legal system makes it very hard to punish those responsible. Mayor Pitta, for example, has been convicted of wrongdoing five times, but has never had to resign because he has always managed to spin out his appeals. Several policemen arrested after giving evidence to the inquiry into drug-trafficking have subsequently been released.
Lawyers point out that Brazil's delicate system of checks and balances is something to be cherished.
Unlike most of Latin America, Brazil does have a genuinely independent judiciary. But the system still seems to favour the rich and powerful. The difference these days is that the media is showing no sign of letting the scandals go. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Links to other Americas stories are at the foot of the page.