BRASILIA (Reuters) – A top official at Brazil’s agriculture ministry tendered his resignation yesterday following corruption allegations, the latest blow to President Dilma Rousseff’s seven-month old government.
Three cabinet ministers have resigned in the last three months due to alleged corruption or disputes with Rousseff, straining relations with members of her coalition and slowing economic reforms in Congress.
Brazilian news magazine Veja reported that Executive Secretary Milton Ortolan had allowed a lobbyist to set up an office within the ministry to help businesses get contracts in exchange for illicit payments.
The agriculture ministry said Ortolan tendered his “irrevocable” resignation but denied wrongdoing.
Rousseff’s defence minister resigned last week after making disparaging comments about fellow officials.
Her transport minister resigned last month after allegations of systemic corruption under his watch and her top aide quit as chief of staff in June amid questions over a massive rise in his personal wealth.
