Brazil's presidential election enters its final week amid Petrobras scandal

SAO PAULO, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- As Brazil's presidential race enters its final week, with a runoff set for Oct. 26, attention is focused on a corruption scandal involving the government-controlled Petroleo Brasileiro SA.

President Dilma Rousseff of the Workers Party confirmed Saturday there was embezzlement at the oil company, known as Petrobras, and that it involved public funds.

Local reports indicate top executives at Petrobras accepted bribes in exchange for steering contracts to specific contractors, with some of the kickbacks allegedly given to members of Rousseff's Workers Party.

"I will do all I can to reimburse the country," the president said at the Saturday news conference.

Rousseff's presidential challenger, center-right Social Democracy Party candidate Aecio Neves, has accused the incumbent of turning a blind eye to corruption.

Her recent admission, Neves said, is "welcome" but "a little late."

With the runoff election less than a week away and both candidates tied in recent polls, it is unclear who will win the runoff.