2 fuel dealers are accused of bribery and money laundering from 2010 to 2018
The U.S. Department of Justice this Friday (Feb.17,2023) denounced 2 fuel distributors for involvement in a bribery scheme for Petrobras executives and money laundering. The case is being investigated by the FBI. Here is the full explanation (74 KB).
In it, the American Glenn Otzemel and the Italian Eduardo Innecco are accused of violating the FCPA (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act). From 2010 to 2018, the duo would have favored 2 companies headquartered in the state of Connecticut to win and maintain contracts with the oil company through illegal payments to stateowned executives.
Payments to Petrobras employees would be disguised as bonuses for consulting services and commissions. In total, traders face 4 bribery and 3 money laundering allegations. The penalty can be up to 80 years in prison.
The US agency has not disclosed the names of the companies that will benefit from the scheme. However, an investigation by Portal reports that Otzemel worked for Freepoint Commodities, a company based in Stamford, Connecticut. Innecco also performed consulting services for the same company.
Also according to the agency, the federal police have been investigating highranking Freepoint employees since 2021 for allegations of bribing Petrobras executives.
in contact with Power360Petrobras said it was a victim of the crime revealed by Operation LavaJato.
“The company has cooperated with investigations since 2014, including the DoJ (US Department of Justice) investigations, that motivated the reported action,” he said.