Brazil's
state-run oil company, Petrobras, says it is investigating an alleged bribery
scheme reported to be linked to top politicians.
The
company said it asked a judge investigating a former Petrobras director, Paulo
Roberto Costa, for access to his confidential statements.
Petrobras
said it had also written letters to companies allegedly involved in the scheme
asking for help.
The
scandal comes less than a month before presidential elections.
"Any
irregular acts that may have been committed by a person or group of people,
whether or not they are company employees, do not represent the conduct of the
Petrobras institution and its workforce, made up of thousands of
employees," said Petrobras in a statement.
On
Saturday, one of Brazil's leading magazines, published the names of more than
