Argentine lawmakers won’t impeach vice president

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentine lawmakers have rejected an effort to impeach the country’s vice president, who is facing corruption charges.

A judge charged Vice President Amado Boudou last week with bribery and conducting business incompatible with public office in the acquisition of the company that prints Argentina’s currency and of later benefiting from government contracts.

Opposition lawmakers asked for Boudou’s impeachment after the judge’s decision.

But legislators in the governing party said Thursday that there isn’t enough proof to impeach the vice president. The decision was expected since both houses of Argentina’s Congress are controlled by the ruling party.

Boudou is the first sitting Argentine vice president to face such charges. A conviction could bring one and six years in prison and a lifetime ban from elective office.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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