Priscilla Mazenotti
Reporter Agência Brasil

Brasília - Businessman Sebastião Buani, the owner of the Fiorella restaurant and snack bar chain which operates in the congressional office building has presented a copy of a check made out to Gabriela Kenia Martins, a secretary of the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Severino Cavalcanti (PP-PE). According to Buani, the check, dated July 30, 2002, worth US$3,000 (R$7,500) was the first of a series of bribes and kickbacks he paid to Cavalcanti who was then first secretary of the Chamber, in charge of concession contracts in the congressional office building, so that he could continue operating his businesses.

Buani accuses Cavalcanti of extortion, saying he forced him to pay to get a contract extension.

Meanwhile, Gabriela Kenia Martins denies Buani's story of the check.

Translator: Allen Bennett