Brazil Nuclear Utility Confirms Arrest of CEO-on-leave Pinheiro

Eletronuclear, the nuclear-power unit of Brazil's state-led utility Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA, said on Tuesday its chief executive on leave, Othon Luiz Pinheiro da Silva, was arrested as part of a corruption investigation.

Pinheiro, an Admiral in Brazil's Navy and a key figure in the development of Brazil's nuclear programs, has been on leave since April after allegations that Eletronuclear was involved in a price-fixing, bribery and political-kickback scheme similar to that at state-led oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA, or Petrobras.

(Reporting by Jeb Blount)