Colombian conglomerate Grupo Aval and its bank subsidiary have agreed to pay approximately US$80 million to settle corruption charges brought by U.S. authorities that have alleged the conglomerate, along with a joint venture partner, paid at least $28 million to Colombian government officials to secure an extension of a highway construction contract.

The whistleblower at the heart of the corruption probe into Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht sought United States protection before he suddenly died last week along with his son, who drank poisonous water he found on his father’s desk, Bloomberg reported Friday.