Free Republic

BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) - The president of the government-allied Liberal Party resigned from Congress on Monday - the first lawmaker to step down in a widening corruption scandal that has plagued the government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Rep. Valdemar Costa Neto, who represents Sao Paulo state for the Liberal Party, said he had erred in accepting money from Silva's Workers' Party during the 2002 elections. "I assume the only and absolute responsibility for this act," Costa told Congress in an address. He said he would stay on as president of the Liberal Party. Costa Neto acknowledged he...