Camps resigns after being indicted on bribery charges

Camps resigns after being indicted on bribery charges

Source: http://www.eitb.com/news/politics/detail/706684/camps-resigns-being-indicted-bribery-charges/

AP - 07/21/2011 | Madrid |

Camps and three former government officials were recently ordered to stand trial for allegedly receiving gifts, such as expensive suits, in return for favors for businesses.

A top member of Spain's opposition conservative party has resigned from his post as a regional president after being indicted on bribery charges.

Francisco Camps, president of eastern Valencia's regional government since 2003, said late Wednesday he was stepping down so as not to mar the party's position as favorites in upcoming general elections.

Camps and three former government officials were recently ordered to stand trial for allegedly receiving gifts, such as expensive suits, in return for favors for businesses.

The case is part of a probe across Spain into bribes allegedly paid by companies to Popular Party members in return for lucrative contracts.

Camps, who denies any wrongdoing, is a key ally of Popular Party leader Mariano Rajoy.