New twist in Corinthians scandal as fifth official indicted | OneFootball

Investigations into Corinthians’ sponsorship deal with betting firm VaideBet have reached another milestone as the São Paulo Civil Police concluded their inquiry, formally indicting a fifth former club official. Yun Ki Lee, the club’s legal director at the time the contract was signed, is now accused alongside four others—former president Augusto Melo, ex-administrative director Marcelo Mariano, former marketing superintendent Sérgio Moura, and Alex Cassundé.

Authorities have charged Lee with improper omission, citing a failure to act despite legal responsibilities when he encountered inconsistencies in the intermediating company’s registration. The intermediary, Rede Social Media Design, was flagged for irregularities, yet, according to the investigators, Lee did not take appropriate steps to address the issues, an omission seen as damaging to the club.

The other four former officials have been indicted on more severe charges, including aggravated theft via abuse of trust, criminal association, and money laundering. Their next step hinges on a decision from the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which, upon reviewing the police dossier, may file formal charges—at which point all five would become criminal defendants and enter a legal process involving hearings and possible witness testimony.

Lee’s defense, released via his attorney Eduardo Carnelós, maintains that the indictment is legally unfounded and disconnected from the facts. The statement argues that, as legal director, Lee fulfilled his duty to protect the club, conducting background checks on individuals and companies involved and adding crucial guarantee clauses into the contract. It claims Lee did not participate in commercial negotiations and based his review of the intermediary’s business activities on legal grounds he believed were sufficient. The defense also suggests that Lee was not properly notified of the shift from witness to accused status, learning of it through press reports, and was denied due process before the indictment was finalized. "At no point did Yun fail to act," the lawyer asserted, "he did everything within his legal responsibilities as an attorney and not as a dealmaker." The defense expects the judiciary to overturn what it considers an unjust decision.

The police findings extend further, alluding to a broader network of intermediaries, including individuals identified as Antônio Pereira dos Santos, Sandro dos Santos Ribeiro, and Washington de Araújo Silva who introduced the sponsorship opportunity to the club. According to the police report, some diverted funds were sent to UJ Football Talent and may have partially financed Augusto Melo’s campaign for the club presidency. The final report cites “clear indications” that the money transfers were not coincidental and links certain companies in the process to organized crime, specifically the PCC, Brazil’s most notorious criminal organization. This facet of the investigation will be pursued separately.

The VaideBet affair continues to cast a long shadow over Corinthians, raising questions about governance and transparency at one of Brazil’s biggest clubs.

Source: Globo, UOL