2nd Brazilian Official Quits in Graft Case, Giving New Leader a Chance to Clean House

[Judi Lynn]

2nd Brazilian Official Quits in Graft Case, Giving New Leader a Chance to Clean House
By ALEXEI BARRIONUEVO
Published: July 9, 2011

SÃO PAULO, Brazil — The resignation this week of yet another minister in the government of Dilma Rousseff, the president of Brazil, may have added to the tumult of her nascent presidency, but it is also showing that her managerial push for efficiency could make it tougher for corruption to persist in her administration, analysts said.

The resignation of Alfredo Nascimento, the transportation minister, is giving Ms. Rousseff a chance to distance herself from the government of her mentor and predecessor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Mr. Nascimento, who had served in the same post under Mr. da Silva, resigned on Wednesday amid accusations of corruption involving overbilling and solicitation of bribes. He is the second official to fall for suspected corruption since Ms. Rousseff became president six months ago.

Last month, Antonio Palocci, the chief of staff and most important political adviser to the president, resigned amid accusations that he had illegally enriched himself with consulting work while a congressman and manager of Ms. Rousseff’s presidential campaign.

More:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/09/world/americas/09brazil.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss