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Petrobras gets back more than $20 million siphoned off in bribery scheme

The funds were returned by the Petrobras former manager Pedro Barusco
Nielmar de Oliveira Silva reports from Agência Brasil
Published on 31/07/2015 - 20:03
Rio de Janeiro

© 31 13:12:48
O presidente da Petrobras, Aldemir Bendine, durante cerimônia de devolução à estatal de R$ 69 milhões recuperados pelo Ministério Público Federal (Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil)

Petrobras CEO Aldemir Bendine announced that another contract was signed for the payback of more repatriated funds in Operation Car Wash Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil

Petrobras was repaid on Friday (July 31) more than $20 million siphoned off in bribery scheme uncovered by Operation Car Wash.

The returned funds are equivalent to 80% of the total amount of $29 million repatriated by the Attoney General Office (MPF) in Switzerland. They were returned by Petrobras former manager Pedro Barusco as a result of the bargain deal during investigations.

The other 20% of the total amount repatriated will be available to the Federal Police for possible indenmity payments that may arise after the sentence. The repatriated funds are part of the kickback money received by Barusco, from 1999 to 2012, from contracts with the Dutch company SBM, which provides offshore platforms.

This is the second payback to Petrobras since the beginning of Operation Car Wash. In May 11, $43,653 million of bribery involving Pedro Barusco has been handed over to the Brazilian company.

Petrobras CEO Aldemir Bendine announced that another contract was signed for the payback of more repatriated funds in Operation Car Wash, but he could not tell the total amount. “[The figures] are still being reached and there are several actions which are still in consolidation phase,” he said.

“Apart from savagely plunder the company's funds, what these criminals have done was to deprive the Brazilian people from their pride. With this payback, we intend to reverse this situation and allow us to have pride again, to recover our pride,” stated Rodrigo Janot, Attorney-General of the Republic, during the ceremony of money payback at the company's headquarters. José Eduardo Cardozo, the Ministry of Justice, have also attended the ceremony.

 

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta


Fonte: Petrobras receives more than $20 million siphoned off in bribery scheme