Ousted Leader Bribed Legislators, Man Says

Ousted President Abdala Bucaram paid off at least 40 Ecuadorean legislators to secure favorable votes during his six-month term, a lawmaker said Monday.

Congressman Andres Romo, of Bucaram’s populist Roldosista party, said each of the deputies was paid between $278,000 and $1.6 million.

Bucaram, whom Congress removed from office Feb. 6 for “mental incapacity,” has been charged with corruption for appropriating $88 million in government funds during his tenure.

Romo said among those taking payments was interim President Fabian Alarcon, who was named last month to replace Bucaram until elections are held next year.

Alarcon has denied reports he took money from Bucaram.