On Monday (24), the Court of Justice of Pernambuco issued an arrest order for sertanejo singer Gusttavo Lima amid investigations into an alleged money laundering scheme. Influencer Deolane Bezerra was arrested as part of the same operation, called Operation Integration.
According to news portal G1, Gusttavo Lima is in Miami. He left Brazil on a private jet early Monday morning, hours before the arrest warrant was issued.
The singer’s name has been included in the Federal Police’s alert systems – meaning the artist can be arrested as soon as he returns to Brazil and goes through the immigration system.
Understand the case
The preventive arrest warrant was issued by Judge Andrea Calado da Cruz of the 12th Criminal Court of Recife. To justify the decision, it cites that Gusttavo Lima provided “shelter to fugitives” from justice and mentions a trip the singer took with the couple being investigated in Operation Integration, José André da Rocha Neto and Aislla Sabrina Truta Henriques Rocha – partners of Vai de Bet, from Goiânia to Greece. The couple did not return to Brazil, according to the judge.
The couple was considered fugitives, but a decision by Judge Eduardo Guilliod Maranhão, the case’s rapporteur, on Monday night (23), accepted a habeas corpus request made by the defense of Darwin Henrique da Silva Filho – owner of Esportes da Sorte – and extended freedom to the other individuals investigated in the operation.
However, the reason for the arrest warrant goes beyond the allegation of support for fugitives.
Operation Integration primarily aims to curb money laundering crimes and the practice of illegal gambling. Launched on September 4, the operation has already resulted in 19 arrest warrants and 24 search and seizure warrants across five states.
Among the accusations against Gusttavo Lima is the concealment of nearly R$10 million from illegal gambling revenues. It was also revealed that the singer purchased a 25% stake in the company “Vai de Bet,” identified as an operator of illegal gambling.
The judge who issued the arrest warrant states that Gusttavo Lima “demonstrates an alarming lack of consideration for Justice.” The relationship involves “suspicious transactions” and the connection of the singer’s company with the money laundering network. For the Justice system, the evidence suggests a commitment “that cannot be ignored.”
The singer’s advisory issued a statement regarding the arrest request. Check it out in full below.
The defense of singer GUSTTAVO LIMA received on the afternoon of this Monday (23/09), through the media, the decision of Judge Dr. Andréa Caladoo da Cruz of the 12th Criminal Court of Recife/PE, which decreed the preventive arrest of the singer and others, and clarifies that the appropriate measures are already being taken.
We emphasize that this is a decision completely contrary to the facts already clarified by the singer’s defense and that no efforts will be spared to legally combat an unjust decision without legal grounds.
The artist’s innocence will be duly demonstrated, as we believe in Brazilian justice. Singer GUSTTAVO LIMA would never be complicit in any act contrary to the laws of our country, and there is no involvement of him or his companies with the object of the operation launched by the Pernambuco Police.
Finally, we clarify that the case is under judicial secrecy and that any violation of this institute will be subject to reparation and accountability for the offenders.
Source: G1 and CNN Brasil