Despite early denials of wrongdoing from Eni head Paolo Scaroni, including a December 3rd letter calling for the resignation of Saipem leadership, the case continued to grow.

FORBES: Fresh Trouble for Algerian Oil and Gas

Beginning late last Fall, Italian investigators began exploring charges that members of energy giant Eni had paid bribes to Sonatrach officials to ensure contracts for a local subsidiary, Saipem.

FORBES: Fresh Trouble for Algerian Oil and Gas

For Italy, it is the latest in a string of corporate scandals - including risky trades at the bank Monti Paschi di Siena and allegations of bribery at the oil services group Saipem.

BBC: Finmeccanica's Giuseppe Orsi held on corruption charges