Jorge Rodríguez was named Costa Rica's interim environment, energy and telecommunications minister Thursday following the resignation of Roberto Dobles amid an unfolding scandal.

Dobles stepped down after allegations that he awarded a mining concession potentially worth several million dollars to a company controlled by members of his and President Oscar Arias' family. Dobles and Arias are second cousins.

Rodríguez was vice minister under Dobles.

See www.ticotimes.net/topstory.htm for the full story.