Rodrigo Arias Sánchez testified Thursday that he that he never has participated in any such act. He is the brother of former, and possibly future, president Óscar Arias Sánchez.

The question of influence trafficking related to the trash contract between the Municipalidad de San José and the Canadian firm, EBI. The Special Legistlative commission of Public Spending and Income is investigating allegations of payoffs to city officials when the contract was negotiated in 2001.

Arias said he has done nothing wrong, only that he was consulted on the contract in his capacity as a lawyer. He is under investigation for a call he made in June of 2001 to the Comptroller to consult on the contract. The exminister emphasized that he never pressured the Comptroller and the discussion was legitimate.