Corinthians Under Investigation for Alleged Kickback to Judge Charged with Corruption

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Federal Prosecutor’s Office (MPF) filed a complaint against Judge Leonardo Safi de Melo, of the 21st Federal Civil Court in São Paulo, and seven other individuals, in connection with the sale of rulings and decisions in the Federal court.

According to the report obtained by the newspaper O Estado de S.Paulo, there is an investigation into the alleged payment of a kickback by soccer club Corinthians to suspend tax debts to the Federal Treasury in the amount of over R$487 million (US$97 million).

Four people from the club were interviewed by investigated, according to the report: Andrés Sanchez (president); Alexandre Husni (second vice president); Fabio Souza Trubilhano (legal director); and Juliano Di Pietro (attorney hired).

Andrés, Fabio Souza, and Juliano are said to have confirmed to the MPF “the request for a benefit, but not its payment.”

On the other hand, Alexandre Husni “confirmed the payment of an undue advantage for the issuance of license number 3848098, granted by Federal Judge Leonardo Safi de Melo, on June 27th, 2008, in the amount of R$566,638.05.”

Leonardo Safi de Melo and seven other people are being indicted for passive corruption, embezzlement, money laundering, and criminal organization in 18 cases in the federal court.

In a statement released on Wednesday afternoon, Corinthians denies that it has committed “any act of corruption”. About the case involving Alexandre Husni, the club says that “it refers to proceedings in his office brought against the Correios [Postal Service], and it is important to note that such proceedings have no connection with the Club.”

Read below the full Corinthians declaration:

“The Corinthians Paulista Sport Club, through its Board of Directors, clarifies that on the facts reported and involving the Federal Prosecutor’s Office (MPF) indictment against federal judge Leonardo Safi de Melo, all explanations were provided before the Federal Police, confirming the request for undue advantage. Furthermore, this request was never accepted or granted.

It should be further clarified that the proceedings under this Magistrate’s jurisdiction had an unfavorable outcome to that intended by the club, which was the subject of appeal. Corinthians or its representatives have never committed any illegality and do not agree with any act of corruption.

And finally, it should be clarified that the Vice-President’s testimony, Alexandre Husni, that amounts were handed over to the civil servants under investigation, refers to his office’s proceeding brought against the Correios, and it is important to note that such a proceeding has no relationship with the Club. The SCCP [Corinthians] reiterates its repudiation of the conduct of civil servants involved in these crimes and has placed itself entirely at the disposal of the authorities for the effective investigation of what occurred.”

Source: ESPN