Corinthians president Augusto Melo admitted defeat before a vote on impeachment, which takes place this Monday (26/05), in Parque São Jorge, headquarters of the club, in São Paulo. Augusto will be voted on until the end of the night at a meeting of the Deliberative Council. Suspected irregularities in the sponsorship agreement with Vaidebet, infraction of the General Sport Law and disrespect to the club statute. There is even a risk of arrest of the Corinthian top hat.
Augusto Melo’s pronouncement occurred while the counselors gathered at the Noble Hall of Parque São Jorge. In January, the admissibility of the impeachment process was approved by 126 favorable votes, which makes Augusto Melo’s situation delicate, as the vote will be made by 300 counselors.
– The game is not over, but I go out with my head up for now. Saying I did my best. We had errors and hits, this is normal. But I speak clearly. I leave Corinthians, at least for now, with salaries on time for seven months. With a surplus, a year I had everything to work out. I leave Corinthians with a parking contract that would give 30 to 40% to Corinthians. I leave Corinthians leaving a contract ready for our CT, for the base accommodation, without Corinthians spending a real. And I leave here very happy for another challenge. Adidas ready contract. I leave here very happy. A wonderful negotiation, within the values of Barcelona, Real Madrid … I leave with more than 3 billion revenues at Corinthians – said Augusto, adding:
– It’s not renunciation. I will not participate in this clowning. Since they want to fight, I won’t be kissed, I will fight. Let’s go to the end by Corinthians.
The defense of Augusto Melo requested, on Monday, an order of habeas corpus, with an urgent injunction, next to the Crimes Court of Criminal Organizations of São Paulo, to annul the indictment resulting from the Civil Police investigation investigating the case Vaidebet. The annulment would be the “card” to be able to nullify the impeachment vote in the coming days.
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What is the case “Vaidebet”?
The case “Vaidebet” is an investigation of alleged irregularities in the sponsorship contract between the Betting House Vádebet and Corinthians. The agreement, in the amount of R $ 370 million divided into three years, was announced in January 2024, but was terminated on June 7 of the same year because of suspicions of corruption and money laundering.
The transfer of values of the Sponsorship Commission of the Betting House to Corinthians through unauthorized intermediaries, including ghost companies, is the target of the investigation of the Civil Police of the State of São Paulo. The businessman Alex Cassundé, placed as the intermediary of the negotiation, is suspected of being involved in the scheme?
So far, about 20 witnesses have been heard about the case except Alex Cassundé. Among these people are Osmar Stábile, first vice president of Corinthians, and Luiz Ricardo Alves, former deputy director of the club’s finance department.
Will Augusto Melo be arrested?
Augusto Melo’s indictment took place last Thursday (22/05). The leader is in danger of being arrested, but depends on strict legal criteria, according to the site “Lance!”.
– Preventive arrest requires evidence of crime, evidence of authorship and a concrete risk, such as destruction of evidence or criminal continuity. Without that, it would be illegal, ”explained criminal lawyer Beatriz Alaia Colin of Wilton Gomes Advogados.
The next step is up to the Public Prosecution Service, which has four alternatives: offering complaint, requesting new diligence, requesting the filing of the inquiry or, in appropriate cases, proposing an agreement of non -criminal prosecution.
If the Public Prosecution Service decides to submit a complaint and is accepted by the court, Augusto Melo will become a defendant. However, this does not mean that it will be arrested automatically.
If it is proven that Melo acted with intent, he can be convicted of crimes of estelionate, criminal association and money laundering. Added, penalties can exceed 15 years in prison.
Augusto Melo denies resignation and his defense points to political motivation in the indictment
Although the Civil Police pointed out Corinthians as a victim of the scheme, club officials can still be held responsible if they are proven that they acted with intent.
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