Targets of an operation conducted by the São Paulo Civil Police this Wednesday morning (21), Mara Casares and Douglas Schwartzmann were part of the hard core of the management of Julio Casares, president of São Paulo who is facing an impeachment process and is removed from office by decision of the Deliberative Council.
Douglas and Mara — Julio’s ex-wife, with whom he has two children — also stopped visiting the club’s headquarters. Both requested removal from their positions after reports of participation in a scheme to illegally sell boxes at the Morumbi stadium. He served as assistant director of the youth teams, while she was director of women’s football, culture and events.
In addition to her executive role, Mara Casares is a member of the São Paulo Deliberative Council. Elected in 2023, she received 936 votes in favor of forming the body, a record number of support within the club.
Aware of her political strength and supported by the capital accumulated during her ex-husband’s management, Mara was tipped for higher positions at Morumbi, even being nominated as a candidate for president of the club.
In one of the audios released by the website ge.com, which indicated her alleged participation in the irregular concert ticket sales scheme, Mara shows concern about the impact of the case on her political trajectory in São Paulo.
“I’m following a future professional path within São Paulo to take on big things. And I’m going to be harmed. That’s all. I’ve always told you that. We can’t have a problem. We can’t have a problem. I’ve always told you that,” he said, according to the recording.
Lawyer, postgraduate in human resources and professor of Law and Legislation in the public school system, Mara denies any irregular activity within the club.
“I vehemently repudiate any statement or insinuation about the existence of a ‘ticket sales scheme’. This narrative does not match reality and will be duly clarified and proven at the appropriate time”, he stated, in a note, at the time the audios were leaked.
During this Wednesday’s operation, the Civil Police seized R$20,000 in cash, as well as documents and a CPU.
A search and seizure warrant was also executed at Douglas Schwartzmann’s residence. Police teams found that he is out of the country. The leader’s children received the police, who carried out searches of the place.
Advisor to São Paulo and deputy director of the youth teams, Douglas has already held different positions on the club’s board of directors. He was communications director in 2014 and, the following year, vice president of Marketing and Communications. He later assumed the role of general secretary, from which he resigned in 2021, amid an investigation by the Public Ministry for alleged crimes of fraud and money laundering during the administration of then president Carlos Miguel Aidar.
In 2022, Douglas was acquitted by the courts, along with the others involved in the case.
Managing partner of DDS Consultoria, according to information on his LinkedIn profile, he also denies participation in any illegal ticket sales scheme.
“I did not, at any time, have any participation in the sale, negotiation or marketing of boxes or tickets for events held at the Morumbi Stadium. I never held a role linked to the management or rental of these spaces and I never received any value, benefit or advantage related to SPFC”, he stated.
Last Friday (16), the São Paulo Deliberative Council approved the removal of Julio Casares from the club’s presidency. In the impeachment vote, 188 councilors voted against his remaining in office, while 45 were against the request and two voted blank.
Casares’ fall is attributed to the meltdown of his political capital, caused by a series of scandals that shook the administration, especially the scheme in which Mara Casares and Douglas Schwartzmann are investigated.
On an interim basis, the presidency of São Paulo is occupied by Harry Massis Junior, 80, until the club’s members deliberate on the definitive request for impeachment of Julio Casares.
