The investigation into alleged fraud in the sponsorship contract between Corinthians and VaideBet was concluded by the São Paulo Civil Police on Monday (23), after more than a year of investigation.
According to the Police, in their final report, the former legal director of Corinthians, Yun Ki Lee, also had his indictment defined. The investigation accuses Yun of improper omission in the case.
According to the report, even though he was aware of inconsistencies in the registration of the company Rede Social Media Design, used as an intermediary in the contract, and the fact that it had no experience in the sports sector, the former director did not take any measures to prevent the signing of the agreement.
The report also pointed out that Yun took responsibility for the company’s so-called ‘background check’. According to investigators, this function would fall to another sector of the club. Even with evidence of irregularities, the then legal director deliberately failed to act.
According to the police investigation, the company Rede Social Media Design, owned by Alex Cassundé, acted artificially in the deal to allow the diversion of resources from Corinthians, in an alleged scheme led by former club directors.
According to the investigation and the Uol Portal, the amount would be paid in 36 installments. Of these, part would be used to finance Augusto Melo’s campaign for the club’s presidency, according to the investigation.
On May 22, Augusto Melo, president of Corinthians, and three other names had their indictment requested by the Police. The accusation is of fraud in the sponsorship contract between Corinthians and the betting house VaideBet. They are: Marcelo Mariano (former administrative director), Sérgio Moura (former marketing superintendent) and the intermediary Alex Cassundé.
From now on, the Public Prosecutor’s Office will have 15 days to analyze the investigation. It is up to the agency to decide whether to file a complaint, request new investigations or request that the case be closed.
Suspicion of money diverted for Corinthians presidential campaign
The financial investigation reveals that part of the misappropriation of contract funds went to the account of the company UJ Football Talent, linked to the PCC. In addition, the investigation identified a network of shell companies involved in the scheme, some of which were linked to the criminal organization.
According to investigators, there are indications that this transfer was part of the payment, albeit partial, of the financing of Augusto Melo’s campaign for the club’s presidency. The connection between the transfer and the internal political context of Corinthians raised suspicions that the sponsorship was used as a hidden source of electoral resources within the club.
Given the seriousness of the evidence, the Civil Police reported that these developments will be the target of new specific investigations, separate from the main inquiry, to delve deeper into the possible role of organized crime in the scheme to embezzle funds from the São Paulo club.
Note from the defense of the indicted former director
The Uol Portal published a statement from the defense of the former football club director:
The indictment of Yun Ki Lee constitutes an affront to the law and the facts. Heard as a witness in July 2024, therefore under the obligation to tell the truth and omit nothing, Yun spoke everything he knew about the facts and his participation in the preparation of the sponsorship contract with Vai de Bet, as Legal Director of Corinthians.
He did everything he could to protect the Club’s interests, which included conducting a registry search of the individuals and legal entities involved; he also included inserting a surety clause provided by Vai de Bet’s legal representative in Brazil and his wife. Yun did not participate in the commercial negotiations, and therefore only received the data that should have been included in the contract, including that of the intermediary company and its representative. He found that the company’s CNAE did not include the intermediary activity, but in his legal opinion, this was not an impediment, since there were other related activities that would allow the activity, as he explained when he was heard, which was also done by the then Deputy Legal Director, also in the witness capacity. The company’s share capital is also of no importance, because, obviously, in order to carry out intermediation, this item is absolutely irrelevant.
Yun was never called to testify again, nor was he officially informed of the abusive decision to make him a person under investigation, which he came to know through a news report. As a result, his lawyers requested access to the records, and the Police Chief even ruled that he could not close the investigation without this access being granted, so that Yun could then exercise his defense – although, it must be said, no grounds were given for him to be treated as an investigated person.
A defense was filed, with supporting documents for the allegations made, but surprisingly, the following day an indictment was issued, the basis of which is only in the title, because it is superficial, unlawful and contrary to the elements in the case. The indictment does not even refer to the content of Yun’s petition, much less attempt to refute it, which is evidence that it was already ready and would have been issued regardless of the defense.
Instead of being silent, Yun acted and did so as a lawyer, and was not responsible for the choice of parties to the contract. The Judiciary will surely correct such ignominy, to reestablish the legal order that was undermined by the indictment.
