The defense of singer Gusttavo Lima contested the arrest warrant signed by magistrate Andrea Calado da Cruz, from the Pernambuco Court. The lawyers did not say where the artist is, but stated that “appropriate measures are already being taken” to try to reverse the decision.
On Sunday night, Gusttavo Lima posted on Instagram following Rock in Rio . The singer’s family is in Miami, according to posts by Andressa Suita, the country singer’s wife.
In the judge’s decision, the singer’s passport will also be retained .
Gusttavo Lima had his arrest warrant issued as part of Operation Integration, which investigates an alleged money laundering scheme and has already put lawyer and influencer Deolane Bezerra behind bars.
Among the accusations, the singer would have hidden R$9.7 million received in two illegal gambling dens of HSF Entertainment Event Promotion. In addition, he would have given “shelter to fugitives” who are targets of the investigation which is under judicial secrecy.
It was also revealed that the singer bought a 25% stake in the company “Vai de Bet” identified as an operator of illegal games and which was recently in the middle of another controversy, upon terminating the sponsorship contract with Corinthians .
The operation
The Civil Police of Pernambuco launched Operation Integration at the beginning of September which culminated in the issuance of 19 arrest warrants and 24 search and seizure warrants in five states, including the arrest of Deolane.
The action resulted in the blocking of financial assets exceeding R$2 billion of the investigated targets.
The main objective of the operation is to prevent money laundering and illegal gambling. According to investigators, the criminal organization under investigation is believed to have moved approximately R$3 billion from illicit activities.
Investigators revealed that the operation began in December 2022, after the seizure of approximately R$180,000.
Since then, Operation Integration has expanded its collection of information and evidence.
Plane seized
Among the actions that took place on September 4, an aircraft was seized in the city of Jundiaí, in the interior of São Paulo. The plane is registered in the name of the company Balada Eventos e Produções LTDA. The company’s partner is singer Gusttavo Lima.
According to the registration with the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), the Cessna 560XLS aircraft carries up to 9 passengers and operates in private air services, and cannot operate air taxis.
Although Gusttavo Lima’s company is listed as the owner of the aircraft, the operation of the jet, according to Anac, is the responsibility of the company JMJ Participações.
In a note sent to CNN at the time, lawyer Cláudio Bessas, who represents Balada Eventos, informed that the plane was sold “through a purchase and sale contract, duly registered with RAB-ANAC to the company JMJ Participações”.
Note from Gusttavo Lima’s defense this Monday about the request for arrest
The defense of singer GUSTTAVO LIMA received on the afternoon of this Monday (23/09), through the media, the decision of Judge Dr. ANDRÉA CALADO DA CRUZ of the 12th Criminal Court of Recife/PE that decreed the preventive arrest of the singer and other people and clarifies that the appropriate measures are already being adopted.
We emphasize that this is a decision that is completely contrary to the facts already clarified by the singer’s defense and that no effort will be spared to legally combat an unfair decision without legal grounds.
The artist’s innocence will be duly demonstrated, as we believe in Brazilian justice. Singer GUSTTAVO LIMA would never be complicit in any act contrary to the legal system of our country and there is no involvement whatsoever between him and his companies in the operation launched by the Pernambuco Police.
Finally, we clarify that the proceedings are being processed in secret and that any violation of the aforementioned institute will be subject to reparation and accountability of the offenders.
(With information from Marcos Guedes, Thiago Felix, Elijonas Maia, Pedro Teixeira and Rafael Villarroel)
This content was originally published in Gusttavo Lima: defense contests arrest warrant and singer’s location is not reported on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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