The former chief of the UN oil-for-food program in Iraq–Benon Sevan — has been accused by an independent panel of taking nearly $150,000 in kickbacks. Sevan resigned on Sunday but said the charges were false. Meanwhile another UN official is already facing criminal charges. The official, Alexander Yakovlev, pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering charges. He could face up to 20 years in jail on each of the charges. Yakovlev has been accused of taking nearly $1 million in bribes from contractors. The oil-for-food program was set up to allow Iraq sell some of its oil under UN supervision so that revenues could be chanelled to buy food and medical aid.