Rolls-Royce confirmed last night that it was co-operating with Brazilian authorities investigating alleged bribery in the country’s state oil company Petrobras.
The engineering company, which is also under investigation in Britain by the Serious Fraud Office over bribery allegations in the Far East, was first linked to the Brazilian scandal in February. A former Petrobras executive claimed that Rolls bribed politicians and staff at the energy company. Rolls said at the time that it had not been approached by the Brazilian authorities.
A Rolls-Royce spokesman said last night: “We are co-operating with investigating authorities in Brazil, but are unable to comment further on a continuing investigation.
“We have repeatedly made it clear that Rolls-Royce will not tolerate business misconduct of any kind.” Rolls faces questions over its relationship with an influential Brazilian businessman who allegedly paid bribes to oil executives and government officials on behalf of Petrobras contractors, The Guardian reported.
The businessman claimed that his company represented Rolls-Royce in Brazil, according to documents seen by the newspaper. Months later Rolls-Royce won a £100 million contract to supply power turbines for Petrobras oil platforms.