Senator Alessandro Vieira (MDB-SE), vice-president of the Bets CPI, filed this Monday (16) a formal representation with the Attorney General’s Office (PGR). The request seeks to investigate suspicions of an extortion scheme involving businesspeople in the betting sector, as VEJA revealed last week.
According to the report, complaints already in possession of the Federal Police (PF) indicate that Silvio Assis, a well-known lobbyist from Brasília, had extorted bookmaker owners. Supposedly, he had the collaboration of parliamentarians linked to the CPI.
Complaints reach the Senate presidency
Senator Ciro Nogueira, substitute on the commission, took the case to the president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD). According to him, Assis requested R$40 million from a businessman in the sector. They promised to avoid being summoned to testify at the CPI, citing their good relationship with some congressmen.
Silvio Assis, arrested by the PF in 2018, denied the accusations. “This is a fallacy,” said the lobbyist.
Investigation could lead to severe punishments
In the representation presented to the PGR, Alessandro Vieira highlighted the seriousness of the suspicions. He stated that, if the allegations are proven, those involved could be held liable for extortion.
“Requiring the payment of large sums to prevent businesspeople from being summoned to give testimony at the CPI is conduct capable of constituting the aforementioned crime,” wrote Vieira.
The senator also highlighted that, if there is proof of political participation, they could be held liable not only for extortion, but also for administrative misconduct.
Pressure to end the work of the Bets CPI
However, in light of the complaints, Rodrigo Pacheco signaled to the members of the commission the possibility of ending the CPI’s work before the scheduled deadline. Originally installed in November, the commission is authorized to operate until April of next year.
The decision could mark a turnaround in the progress of the Bets CPI, which has been attracting attention due to its complexity and the interests involved in the sports betting sector.
The repercussion of this case raises an alert for the sports betting market in Brazil. In this way, companies in the sector, which already face regulatory challenges, are now dealing with possible schemes that compromise the credibility of the political and business environment.
Therefore, the outcome of this investigation will be crucial to reinforce transparency and protect the sustainable growth of iGaming in the country.