Ex-leader charged with bribery
A former Argentine president was charged with bribery as part of an investigation into whether his government paid legislators to push through a law in 2000, court officials said.
A federal court charged Fernando de la Rua and ordered about $157,500 of his assets frozen. He could face up to six years in prison if convicted, but his defense lawyer told local radio he will not be jailed pending trial.
The bribery scandal was a major blow to De la Rua, who ultimately had to flee the presidential palace in December 2001 amid protests and a deepening economic crisis.
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