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Brazil minister quits over bribery case

Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff’s government has seen its second minister quit in a month amid a scandal over an alleged bribery scheme.

Alfredo Nascimento quit his post as Brazil’s transportation minister on Wednesday in the wake of an article in Veja news magazine which reported that the minister’s top aides were taking kickbacks and charging companies a five-percent fee in return for infrastructure and transport projects, a Press TV correspondent reported.

Nascimento’s resignation comes a month after the downfall of Rousseff’s chief of staff, Antonio Palocci.

The official stepped down after press reports questioned his rapid accumulation of wealth.

Rousseff has voiced concern about possible corruption within the transport ministry, since it handles projects related to the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC).

The investment plan, launched by the Brazilian government in 2007, aims to promote large-scale infrastructure projects throughout the country for advancing economic development.

Social Communications Minister Helena Chagas told reporters in Brasilia on Wednesday that Paulo Sergio Passos was named acting transportation minister.

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