A former Brazilian lawmaker and TV host who cops say boosted his police show ratings by ordering drug rivals killed and then rushing camera crews to the scene is on the lam, authorities said.

Wallace Souza, a disgraced former Brazilian lawmaker and host of “Canal Livre,” is accused of drug trafficking, witness tampering, possession of illegal firearms and forming gangs in the northwestern Brazilian state of Amazonas.

State Attorney General Otavio Gomes said Souza’s gang is linked to six slayings, but prosecutors did not bring murder charges against him for lack of evidence.

“It’s been determined that the crimes were committed in order to generate news for the program,” said Augusto Vasconcelos, Amazonas state intelligence secretary.

Souza, a former cop who left the force after he was implicated in a fuel theft case more than 20 years ago, received the most votes of any candidate in the last state congress election in Amazonas state.

He was stripped of his legislative immunity last week after he was expelled from the state congress. He has been missing since his arrest was ordered.

Police consider him a fugitive, officials said.

Souza has denied the allegations.

Fifteen people connected with Souza, among them police officers and a chief, have been arrested.

Souza’s son, Raphael, said to be a member of his father’s gang, has been convicted of homicide, drug trafficking and illegal gun possession, according to authorities.

Souza’s TV show went off the air last year amid the investigation into his reputed gang activities.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2009/10/08/2009-10-08_brazilian_tv_host_wallace_souza_accused_of_ordering_drug_rivals_slain_to_boost_r.html#ixzz0TLzKipTU