Swiss regulators have agreed to provide US prosecutors with records from at least 18 banks relating to Venezuela’s state oil company.
It comes after requests for information were made from two separate US authorities as part of their investigations into alleged money laundering and corruption in connection with the conclusion of energy contracts with Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA).
US authorities have claimed they have traced more than $1billion to a conspiracy involving a Venezuelan magnate who allegedly paid bribes to obtain contracts from PDVSA.
Federal Office of Justice spokesman Folco Galli said: “Within the context of the investigation against representatives of the energy company Derwick, the Attorney for the Southern District of New York has requested on June 4, 2015 the FOJ to gather bank records.
“18 banks are concerned by the measures of mutual assistance.”