Argentine ex-leader denies bribery claim

Former President Fernando de la Rua, charged with bribery, insisted on his innocence Tuesday.

The former president "is sad but calm," said his attorney, Jorge Kirszenbaum, and he said De la Rua would appeal to have the "absolutely unfounded and fallacious" charges withdrawn.

De la Rua, who took office in 1999, has repeatedly denied any involvement in an alleged attempt by aides to push labor reforms through Congress by paying millions of dollars to key lawmakers.

De la Rua's vice president resigned and confidence his government plunged as the scandal grew. A spectacular economic implosion in December 2001 finally forced the president to resign as well, halfway through his four-year term.

Judge Daniel Rafecas charged de la Rua with "aggravated bribery" on Monday and barred the former president from leaving the country, though he will remain free while his case is being processed.

Kirszenbaum said the former president will file an appeal this week.

Nine other ex-officials face charges in the case, including former Labor Minister Alberto Flamarique, former spy agency chief Fernando de Santibanez and six former senators.

A former Senate worker previously allied with de la Rua's government has told the court he distributed bribe money from spy agency funds.