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Brazil: Gov rejects $342m leniency deal in probe of Dutch Driller

 |  September 4, 2016

Federal prosecutors in Brazil rejected a $328.2 milliondeal on Thursday allowing Dutch oil-ship lesser SBM Offshore to avoid prosecution for corruption related to its contracts with state-led oil company Petrobras.

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    The decision was made by a federal prosecutor review board, which said numerous problems needed to be addressed before the deal could be approved.

    The deal failed to provide authorities with enough data, documents and other information to assist in further investigations of corruption at Petrobras, the board said.

    A series of widening investigations that began in 2014 have shown that Petrobras officials conspired with major contractors to fix prices or arrange bribes, in a sweeping kickback scheme that has engulfed a vast swath of Brazil’s political class and business elites.

    SBM is the largest lesser of floating oil production, storage and offloading vessels. The company has been accused of paying bribes to officials of Petroleo Brasileiro, or Petrobras to win FPSO lease contracts.

    The deal rejected on Thursday, known as a lenience accord, was completed in negotiations between SBM and the TRCM in July. It offered SBM immunity from prosecution in exchange for an admission of guilt, the provision of information and evidence that could help further an ongoing corruption investigation at Petrobras.

    Full Content: Reuters

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