Argentina stands by minister with $ 64,000 in toilet

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BUENOS AIRES, July 10 (AFP): President Nestor Kirchner stands by his economy minister, his spokesman said Monday, as opposition lawmakers filed charges against Felisa Miceli over 64,000 dollars found in her office bathroom.
Esteban Bullrich, of the rightist Republican Proposal (PRO) filed charges against Miceli for making false tax statements, and a social democrat lawmaker wants her questioned.
"It looks like we are going to demand the Supreme Court question her; the minister's story does not hold up," said Radical Civil Union president Gerardo Morales.
Miceli will remain Argentina's economy minister despite the cash found in a bathroom cupboard of her office during a routine security search two weeks ago, said Alberto Fernandez, Kirchner's chief of staff.
Opposition politicians called on Kirchner to fire the minister, accusing her of apparently having accepted one or more bribes.
Opponents also accused her of destroying documents and giving false testimony, and said they may ask the Supreme Court to intervene if the government fails to file charges.
Miceli, for her part, accused her political enemies of a "ruthless" smear campaign against her, and insisted there was nothing illegal about the cash.