Brazil's top prosecutor charged President Michel Temer with accepting bribes, making him the first sitting president in Latin America's largest nation to face criminal charges.

Attorney General Rodrigo Janot accuses Mr. Temer of taking US$150,000 from Joesly Batista, former chairman of meat-packing giant JBS.  The two men were secretly recorded discussing bribes and paying hush money to Temer's friend, former House Speaker Eduardo Cunha who is serving a 15-year sentence for corruption. 

Despite the evidence, his deep unpopularity, and numerous calls to step down, Temer says he will not resign.  Opposition parties have been demanding snap elections and his impeachment.  Batista has already reached a plea agreement with prosecutors.

The charges have been delivered to a Supreme Court judge who must now decide if the case can be sent to the lower house of parliament; the lower house then decides if Temer goes to trial.