Singapore: Singapore-listed Sembcorp Marine has announced today that an official linked to the rig contracts it won in 2012 from Sete Brasil, a subsidiary of Petrobras, has been arrested for alleged bribery.
Sembcorp Marine said that according to local reports former engineering manager of Petrobras, Pedro Jose Barusco, had made statements to the effect that illegal payments had been made in connection with contracts entered into by Petrobras and/or Sete Brasil. The company also said it has received a copy of what is said to be a plea bargain between the Brazilian authorities and Barusco, in which Barusco makes allegations against Guilherme Esteves de Jesus (GDJ) in connection with the contracts. GDJ is connected to companies which were engaged by these subsidiaries as consultants in connection with the contracts.
Sembcorp Marine had said that an internal investigation was already underway, while lawyers have also been engaged, for the purposes of obtaining legal advice. The company also said it is unable to comment on the truth of the allegations and that internal investigations are continuing.