The partnership between Corinthians and the Betting House Vaidebet, initially celebrated as the largest master sponsorship contract in Brazilian football, unfolded in a complex police investigation that raises suspicions of money laundering and criminal association besides identifying connections with organized crime . The case, which led to the termination of the millionaire contract and generated political turmoil at the club, is under the São Paulo Civil Police, with the support of the prosecutor.
The controversy came to public after revelations that the company Social Network Media Design Ltda which brokered the agreement between Vaidebet and Corinthians, would have passed part of the value of the commission to another organization. This other company was identified as Neoway Solutions Integrated in Services Ltda . The News Partner, EDNA OLIVEIRA DOS SANTOS resident of Peruíbe, coast of São Paulo, said he was unaware of the case when he was interviewed.
The police investigation, conducted by DPPC delegate Tiago Fernando Correia – responsible for money laundering – with the support of prosecutor Juliano Carvalho ATOJI, Gaeco (Special Action Group on Combating Organized Crime), used Bank secrecy break to track the money path paid in committee for sponsorship. Accounts were revealed by which R $ 1.4 million circulated.
Path that reached the faction
The money, initially diverted in two shipments of R $ 700 thousand to the account of the social network Media Design, Alex Cassundé would have been passed on by Cassundé’s company to Neoway’s integrated solutions in two transfers of R $ 580 thousand and R $ 462 thousand.
The investigation points out that in March last year, the neopay transferred about $ 1 million to the Wave Technological Intermediations which in turn made three more transfers to the UJ Football Talent Intermediation in the house of R $ 870 thousand.
It is at UJ Football Talent Intermediation that the police identified a connection with organized crime . This company was cited by ANTONIO VINICIUS LOPES GRITZBACH CCP’s whistleblower, who stated that UJ would be informally controlled by Danilo Lima known as “Trip”, named as a member of the First Capital Command (CCP). Gritzbach died in November 2024 during a planned action at Congonhas Airport in Guarulhos.
Investigations
In addition to Alex Cassundé, who is investigated, members of Augusto Melo’s board of directors were also heard by the police as investigated . The president Augusto Melo the former administrative director MARCELO MARIANO and the former marketing superintendent Sérgio Moura They are among them. Marcelo Mariano was the first to testify, on April 14, followed by Sérgio Moura, whose testimony diverged from the former administrative director. Augusto Melo introduced himself to testify on April 16.
The Civil Police noted that the testimonies of the three investigated diverse with each other, mainly on the issue of the presentation of Alex Cassundé considered the intermediary of the negotiation. None of the four ears by the Civil Police have presented any evidence about their relationship to close the deal.
THE Civil Police understands that the case is close to an outcome and that must be presented until the middle of May. If the police identify indications of crime, the individuals will be referred to the prosecution.
It will be up to the prosecutor the final decision on offering the complaint or file the police inquiry. The possibility is that the crimes framed are money laundering and criminal association.
Positions of those involved
Given the suspicions, the Vaidebet decided to terminate the contract On June 7, after five months of partnership. The company justified the termination citing the suspicion of “orange” in the agreement and the violation of an anti -corruption clause present in the contract. Vaidebet said the lack of resolution and the simple “Doubt” Ethics About the agreement were sufficient to determine the end of the partnership. The contract provided monthly payments and a total amount of R $ 370 million in 3 years, being the largest master sponsorship of Brazilian football at the time.
Corinthians reaffirmed their commitment against any illegal practice he explained that he collaborates with the authorities in investigations related to third parties, notified the intermediary, hired a company for autonomous investigation and calculates by the Deliberative Council. Corinthians states that they are not involved with financial transfers to third parties.
The case Vaidebet also became one of the main reasons for the request for dismissal of Augusto Melo in Corinthians. The impeachment process in the Deliberative Council had its approved admissibility vote, but was suspended, awaiting opinions and defense, scheduled for May 26.
Sought by CNNCassundé’s defense has not yet manifested. The space is still open.
This content was originally published in Corinthians, Vaidebet and PCC: Understand how it started police investigation on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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