The São Paulo Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating allegations of embezzlement amounting to R$ 21 million in sporting events in the state capital. The agency requested the opening of a police inquiry and sent an official letter to the city hall, seeking information to determine whether irregularities occurred.
The complaint came from Deputy Mayor Ricardo Augusto de Mello Araújo (PL), who claims that overbilling occurred, paid events were not held, and associations were favored in carrying out the Virada Esportiva 2026, promoted by the Municipal Department of Sports and Leisure.
The documentation submitted by the deputy mayor's team points to the involvement of 14 entities, including NGOs and associations, which either did not carry out the planned activities or did so at prices above market rates. One cited example is a nautical sports event that cost R$ 1.6 million. The deputy mayor's office reported that, under similar conditions, the activity could have been carried out for less than R$ 80,000.
According to the initial order by prosecutors Silvio Marques and Luiz Ambra Neto, the complaint documentation will be sent to the Citizenship Protection Police Station (DPPC), which is expected to investigate the facts. It was also requested that all documentation involving the Virada Esportiva 2026 be sent within ten days. According to the city's website, the event featured more than 4,000 activities and drew an audience of 2.2 million people, and it highlighted that this edition "offered more activities, attra…
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The São Paulo Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating allegations of embezzlement totaling around R$ 21 million in sporting events in the state capital. The agency requested the opening of a police inquiry and sent an official letter to the city hall, seeking information to determine whether irregularities occurred.
The complaint came from Deputy Mayor Ricardo Augusto de Mello Araújo (PL), who alleges that overbilling occurred, paid events were not held, and associations were favored in carrying out the Virada Esportiva 2026, organized by the Municipal Department of Sports and Leisure.
The documentation submitted by the deputy mayor's team points to the involvement of 14 entities, including NGOs and associations, that either failed to carry out the planned activities or did so at prices above market rates. One cited example is a nautical sports event that cost R$ 1.6 million. The deputy mayor's office stated that, under similar conditions, the activity could have been carried out for less than R$ 80,000.
According to the initial ruling by prosecutors Silvio Marques and Luiz Ambra Neto, the complaint's documentation will be sent to the Police Station for the Protection of Citizenship (DPPC), which is to investigate the facts. It was also requested that all documentation involving the Virada Esportiva 2026 be submitted within ten days. According to the city's website, the event featured more than 4,000 activities and drew an audience of 2.2 million people, and it highlighted that the edition "offered more activities, attracted the largest audience, and impacted the entire city with the transformative power of sports, reinforcing the administration's commitment to continuing to evolve and surpass previous editions."
When questioned by reporters, the city hall did not comment on the complaint or on any possible removal of employees due to the investigation.