Opposition parties claim evidence shows existence of ''mensalão''

Marcos Chagas

Reporter Agência Brasil

Brasília - While members of political parties allied with the government say there is no evidence of the vote buying scheme known as the "big monthly allowance" ("mensalão"), members of opposition say the evidence clearly shows it did exist. The rapporteur/redactor of the Post Office CPI, deputy Osmar Serraglio (PMDB-PR), has just released a second partial report on the investigation.

According to deputy Eduardo Paes (PSDB-SP) the Serraglio report "shows that the mensalão did exist in various forms. We have discovered a corruption scheme that has its roots in state-run enterprises and branched out into the Congress."

Deputy Antônio Carlos Magalhães Neto (PFL-BA) calls the discovery of the existence of the mensalão the greatest victory of the CPI. Magalhães Neto says he intends to show that the payment scheme funneled money from pension funds, government enterprises and even the private sector into the pockets of politicians.

Translation: Allen Bennett