Brazil hands down first sentences against Petrobras businessmen

A Brazilian judge on Monday handed down the first sentences against businessmen caught up in a huge corruption scandal centered around state oil company Petrobras.

Judge Sergio Moro sentenced former Camargo Correa construction company CEO Dalton Avancini and another top former executive, Eduardo Leite, to 15 years and 10 months prison.

They had been found guilty on charges including corruption and money laundering linked to a sprawling bribes-and-kickbacks scheme at Petrobras and major Brazilian construction businesses.

Previously, Petrobras executives have been sentenced in the case, which has also seen prosecutors investigating dozens of high-profile business executives and politicians.

Both Avancini and Leite could see their sentences converted into house arrest in exchange for having cooperated as state's witnesses.

Camargo Correa chairman Joao Auler was sentenced to nine years and six months in prison for corruption. Camargo recorded a turnover of $8.15 billion in 2014.