Party Leaders Press Cavalcanti

Four Brazilian political party leaders in the lower house demanded that House President Severino Cavalcanti step aside until Congress and the police finish investigating allegations that he took kickbacks. Cavalcanti has released three statements in the last week denying reports he received $4,300 in illegal monthly payments to let a restaurant operate in the Congress building in 2003. Some legislators say they’ll ask the ethics committee to oust Cavalcanti should he decline to leave voluntarily.