BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) -- A federal court sentenced a former first lady to more
                  than 11 years in prison for corruption, officials said Thursday.

                  Rosane Collor, wife of impeached-President Fernando Collor de Mello, was
                  accused of taking kickbacks and diverting funds to personal accounts during her
                  tenure as the head of the now- defunct Brazilian Assistance League. Rosane
                  Collor ran the group while her husband was still president.

                  Collor is currently living in Miami with her husband, and her lawyers said she
                  would appeal the sentence.

                  "What gives me strength is the peace of mind that I did not commit any illegal
                  acts," Collor was quoted as saying by Estado news agency.

                  Fernando Collor de Melo was impeached in 1992 on corruption charges after
                  being linked to a massive scheme of kickbacks and commissions from public
                  works contracts. The Supreme Court then revoked his political rights until 2000
                  and he went into self-exile in Miami.

                  Collor is planning to return to Brazil with her husband, who is hoping an appeals
                  court will overturn an earlier decision preventing him from running for mayor of
                  Sao Paulo -- South America's largest city -- in this year's municipal elections.
                  She is expected to remain free to travel while she appeals.