The Russian government is another source of potential abuse for shareholders. The government has shown a tendency to intervene in business to promote its own interests. A primary method involves making dubious claims of unpaid taxes, which are then used as justification for seizing assets. This method was used in 2006 to transfer the assets from privately held Yukos to Gazprom-Russia's largest oil company, which the Russian government controls. Government corruption also occurs at the regional level as regional governors accept bribes from local employers in exchange for protection from foreign competition. The government also interferes to maintain employment levels and prevent mass layoffs.