Brazil scandal enters new phase

An inquiry into the biggest corruption scandal yet uncovered in Brazil has entered a new phase, with the attorney general formally requesting the Supreme Court's permission to open investigations against 54 people, mostly thought to be top political figures.

The kickback scandal involves state-run oil company Petrobras, which investigators say awarded inflated contracts to construction and engineering companies that in turn paid back at least $800 million. Prosecutors say some of that money was funneled into the campaign coffers of the ruling Workers' Party.

Previously, federal investigators had focused their efforts on the companies, but on Tuesday Attorney General Rodrigo Janot took aim at politicians, dealing what was seen as a blow to President Dilma Rousseff, a former chairwoman of Petrobras' board.