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Brazilian congress to probe govt
for bribes scandal
A Brazilian congressional
commission said on Monday it
would investigate the government
for possible wrongdoing in
financing the sale of
"overpriced" ambulances.
The committee was created last
month to investigate legislators
who allegedly received kickbacks
for the sale of ambulances they
financed through budget
amendments.
The committee, however, decided
to turn to investigate the
government after it found
indications that the Ministry of
Health might have financed the
sale of the ambulances.
The latest scandal caught the
public's attention to corruption
in the run-up to the Oct. 1
election.
Owners of the company that sold
ambulances to 450 municipalities
told police they bribed some
mayors and lawmakers with cash,
cars and travel expenses.
In several cases, they presented
checks and deposit slips as
proof.
There was significant evidence
against 40 to 75 of the 90
legislators being investigated,
committee members said.
The ruling Workers' Party was
dogged by a campaign finance
scandal for much of last year.
Two of President Luiz Inacio
Lula da Silva's closest
ministers as well as the party
leadership have resigned as a
result.
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