London: Rolls-Royce said Monday it will take "all necessary action" to comply with the law after the Financial Times reported it was accused of involvement in a bribery scandal with the Brazilian energy giant Petrobras.
The British engine maker, which makes gas turbines for oil rigs for Petrobras, allegedly paid bribes via an agent in exchange for a $100-million contract as part of a scheme in operation over the past decade, the FT reported, citing testimony from a former Petrobras executive.
"We want to make it crystal clear that we will not tolerate improper business conduct of any sort and will take all necessary action to ensure compliance," a Rolls-Royce spokesman said.
The FT reported that former Petrobras executive Pedro Barusco told Brazilian police that he had received $200,000 from Rolls-Royce -- only part of the bribes he alleges were paid to politicians and other executives at the group.
Meanwhile, mounting allegations that Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff`s party received hundreds of millions of dollars in a kickbacks scandal engulfing Petrobras have sent her poll ratings tumbling.
Rousseff only embarked on a second term in office last month, having succeeded popular Workers Party (PT) predecessor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in 2011.
Rolls-Royce is already facing a corruption probe in Britain, where the Serious Fraud Office is investigating alleged bribery linked to the group`s overseas operations.
In late morning deals, Rolls-Royce shares slid 1.27 percent to 932.5 pence on London`s FTSE 100 index, which was 0.12 percent lower at 6,865.47 points.
Last Friday, Rolls-Royce slashed its 2015 profit forecast, blaming tumbling oil prices which have hurt sales at its marine offshore division.
