A Brazilian judge sentenced Nestor Cervero, former international chief of state-run oil firm Petrobras, to just over 12 years in prison on Monday for corruption and money laundering related to a bribe allegedly paid to the speaker of Brazil’s lower house of congress.
Cervero and two other defendants are accused of organizing bribes from Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries in exchange for two drillship contracts: the Petrobras 10000, which was leased jointly by Petrobras and Mitsui in 2006, and the Vitoria 10000, hired by Petrobras in 2007.
Consultant Julio Camargo, who said in plea bargain testimony that Speaker Eduardo Cunha asked him for a $5m bribe, was given a 14-year sentence that was reduced to reporting to police twice monthly and doing community service because he collaborated.