Cash, emeralds found in faith Brazil healer's home

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP):

Brazil's state police say they have found a suitcase full of cash and emeralds hidden in the home of a faith healer accused of sexual abuse by hundreds of women.

The suitcase was discovered at the home of Joao Teixeira de Faria last Friday in a basement accessed by a trap door in a closet.

Police in the central state of Goias said they also found about $300,000 worth of Brazilian currency. They had yet to appraise the emeralds.

De Faria worked for several decades in rural Brazil as a healer who claimed he could cure diseases.

TV channel Globo aired accounts on December 7 from several alleged victims who said that they had been sexually abused for years.

Last Thursday, prosecutors announced that they had lodged their first charge against de Faria,

The charge accuses de Faria of sexual violation through fraud, though a judge has yet to confirm the charge.

Hundreds of people have accused the man known as 'John of God' of sexual abuse or rape, and he surrendered to authorities last week.

Some of those coming forward say the crimes took place when they were children. They include his daughter.

De Faria became an international celebrity from his base in rural Brazil.