Head of Chile right-wing party resigns amid campaign finance scandal
Head of Chile right-wing party resigns amid campaign finance scandal
SANTIAGO, March 11 Wed Mar 11, 2015 4:33pm EDT
(Reuters) - The head of Chile's right-wing UDI party, a bastion of support for late dictator Augusto Pinochet, resigned on Wednesday, becoming the first political casualty of a campaign finance scandal that has left Chileans feeling betrayed.
Charges of bribery and tax evasion were formally pressed a week ago against the owners of financial firm Banco Penta, in a probe that has sucked in business leaders and politicians alike.
Prosecutors say they have evidence that fake receipts used by Penta's owners to dodge taxes were used to make illegal campaign finance contributions, mostly to the UDI party.
Faced with criticism for his handling of the scandal, which has dented Chileans' trust in politicians, UDI's president Ernesto Silva said he was stepping down from his post.
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