A museum in Brazil has been donated 139 works of art all seized from individuals involved in a high-level corruption scandal relating to oil giant Petrobas.

Prosecutors are currently investigating Brazil’s state-run oil company, having filed charges against 35 people so far, with nearly R$4.1bn (US$1.3bn, €1.2bn, £878m) taken by the individuals in a kickback scheme. Over a 10-year period, money siphoned off from inflated contracts allegedly generated a flood of dirty money, which was then used to bribe company officials and pay off politicians.

Works seized by police and subsequently donated to the Oscar Niemeyer Museum in the city of Curitiba, include art by Spanish artist Joan Miro, Brazilians Djanira and Heitor dos Prazeres, and more. According to local media, the majority of the art comes from former director of services Renato Duque, who was arrested on 30 March. The museum was already in possession of another 64 seized works relating to the scandal, which includes pieces by Salvador Dali and Vik Muniz.

According to Brazilian police, the artworks were used to launder money and cover the trail of bribes. Since the scandal broke, the authorities say 20 galleries and art dealers have been asked to explain transactions involving the seized artworks.

“Authorities needed an institution with space and expertise to store all the seized art. Publicity from the show will help expand the museum’s audience,” said Juliana Vosnika, the museum’s chief executive officer. “It’s not nice to discover a case like this, but we have to think this has been positive for the museum.”

Currently 15 of the pieces have been put on display, with the full collection of more than 200 likely to join them following a quarantine period where the works will be examined.