BRASILIA, Brazil, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- The speaker of Brazil's lower house of Congress has stepped down amid allegations that he extorted money from a caterer in the capital.
Severino Cavalcanti resigned his post Wednesday saying he needed to concentrate on his defense.
Cavalcanti was accused of demanding kickbacks from a caterer operating a concession in the Congress. The speaker denies the allegation.
The accusation comes amid an ongoing corruption scandal dogging the administration of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, involving alleged bribery of lawmakers in exchange for their support on key congressional votes.
As the head of the lower house and Lula ally, Cavalcanti has thwarted several efforts by Brazil's opposition to initiate impeachment proceedings against the president.
