BRASILIA, Brazil, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- Brazilian former presidential Chief of Staff Jose Dirceu has denied the existence of a bribery scheme to payoff lawmakers, O Globo reported Wednesday.
Dirceu also in a congressional testimony he would not attack the administration of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in order to save his own reputation. Lula's ex-chief of staff was also his most trusted adviser until he resigned last month amid corruption allegations.
A former ally to the president's ruling Workers' Party came forward in June and said the administration had orchestrated monthly payments for certain lawmakers to back certain initiatives.
The president and the Workers' Party denied the accusation. However several leaders decided to step down, including Dirceu, who is now serving in the congress.
