Civil Police investigate the issuance of 85 banknotes without real backing in agreement with Estrela Bet, involving more than R$45 million
The Civil Police of the State of Ceará are investigating allegations of false invoices being issued by the Ceará football club. The amount involved in the suspicious operation is more than R$45 million. The case was published by the newspaper Folha de São Paulo on Thursday (December 19, 2024). The focus of the investigation is a contract with the sports betting house Estrela Bet, the club’s sponsor during Series B.
Ceará is suspected of issuing 85 invoices without real backing to advance revenue from the contract with Estrela Bet. A financial fund would have advanced the money to Ceará, accepting the notes as collateral. The notes, however, were canceled days after the operation. The total value of the notes for 2023 and 2024 reaches R$37 million.
Fred Bandeira, legal director of Ceará, confirmed the existence of the investigation, but denied any illicit practice. “None of this is true. We are awaiting more information, but we are calm and ready to provide any clarification that may be necessary.”said Bandeira.
Estrela Bet, in turn, claimed to be aware of the operations and warned the club about the possibility of crime. After repeating the actions, the bookmaker broke the contract.
The police investigation investigates the president of Ceará, João Paulo Silva, and 8 other people for conspiracy, embezzlement and money laundering. Silva acknowledged the issuance of the notes, but denied fraud. He explained to the club’s advisors in 2023 that note issues were not fraudulent practices. The Ceará Civil Police did not comment on the case, following the policy of not discussing cases in secret.
Note from the Civil Police
The PCCE (Civil Police of the State of Ceará informs that it does not comment on cases that are being carried out under judicial secrecy.
Star Bet Note
EstrelaBet clarifies that the sponsorship contract with Ceará Sporting Club was terminated in April 2024, formally and within the contractual provisions previously established and communicated to the club. Contractual confidentiality prevents the disclosure of specific details regarding the termination. EstrelaBet reiterates its commitment to integrity and compliance, values that guide all its partnerships, and that it is available to contribute to the authorities.
