Official accuses peer of inventing scandal

BRASILIA, Brazil, June 20 (UPI) -- Brazilian lawmaker Valdemar Costa Neto accused one of his peers of inventing a corruption scandal to secure his own political future.

Neto's accusations were aimed at fellow Federal Deputy Roberto Jefferson, himself under investigation for allegedly accepting bribes from companies looking to business with the government.

Jefferson in turn said the administration of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was paying off lawmakers for their support on congressional votes.

Though the deputy did not produce any evidence of alleged payoffs, the accusations prompted the president to fire his chief of staff.