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Belgium Charges Another EU Lawmaker with Corruption

by Reuters

   Brussels --

   Belgian prosecutors have charged another European Union lawmaker, Marc
   Tarabella, with corruption in a cash-for-influence scandal that shook
   the European Parliament, Belgium's daily Le Soir reported.

   Tarabella, a Belgian socialist, was detained on Friday. Le Soir quoted
   federal prosecutors as saying on Saturday he was charged with
   corruption, money laundering and membership in a criminal organization.

   Tarabella's lawyer, Maxime Toller, said his client denied any
   wrongdoing during the questioning by Belgian authorities.

   The so-called Qatargate scandal started last December when authorities
   charged four people linked to the European Parliament - which sits in
   the Belgian capital Brussels - over allegations that World Cup host
   Qatar lavished them with cash and gifts to influence decision-making.