Brazil: Party denounces corruption talk

BRASILIA, Brazil, May 16 (UPI) -- Brazil's Labor Party, or PTB, was defending a key party member Monday against accusations of corruption involving payoffs and bribery.

PTB Federal Deputy Roberto Jefferson has been linked to Mauricio Marinho, a high ranking official in Brazil's postal service who was caught on videotape accepting a large amount of cash.

"There isn't, not was there ever, any scheme involving the party," read a statement released by the PTB.

The party is a key ally of leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whose administration has endured its share of corruption scandals during the last two-and-a-half years.

Opposition parties Monday called for a congressional inquiry into the accusations.