Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldinho Gaúcho faces the looming risk of detention as he turns into entangled in a cryptocurrency fraud investigation in his homeland.
Accused of being related to a pyramid scheme post-retirement, Ronaldinho’s involvement allegedly catalyzed monetary losses for scores of buyers who have been swayed by his iconic standing.
Summoned by the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies’ Monetary Pyramids Committee, the soccer star was initially known as to testify on August 24. Nevertheless, opposed climate situations thwarted his journey plans, prompting the cancellation of flights to Porto Alegre, the listening to’s location.
Ronaldinho’s Present Authorized Woes
This hiccup drew the ire of lawmakers who had issued the summons. The committee has prolonged one other alternative for Ronaldinho to testify, scheduling a brand new listening to for August 31.
Ought to he fail to seem once more, lawmakers threaten to hunt a court-issued warrant that may empower authorities to forcibly carry him to the committee.
Central to the inquiry are Ronaldinho, his brother Assis, and enterprise accomplice Marcelo Lara, who have been anticipated to offer testimony earlier than the Parliamentary Fee of Inquiry. Allegations recommend their enterprise, 18K Ronaldinho, was on the coronary heart of a cryptocurrency rip-off bearing the hallmarks of a pyramid scheme.
Bitcoin reclaims the $26K territory right this moment. Chart: TradingView.com
Promising substantial every day returns of over 2%, the corporate allegedly enticed buyers to commit a minimal of $30 in cryptocurrency. A lawsuit demanding over $61 million in damages has been levied in opposition to the agency for failing to ship on these guarantees.
Was Ronaldinho A Mere ‘Ambassador?’
Lawmakers are honing in on whether or not Ronaldinho licensed the corporate to leverage his identify and picture in promotional supplies.
His authorized representatives contend he was a mere “ambassador” and, like many others, fell sufferer to the purported fraudulent operation. They assert that his picture and identify have been illicitly exploited to dupe potential buyers, with out correct authorization.
Após ausência, CPI das Criptomoedas aprova condução coercitiva a Ronaldinho Gaúcho. https://t.co/g9OalFlKSl
— Jornal O Globo (@JornalOGlobo) August 22, 2023
Including to this case, the athlete and his brother confronted arrest in Paraguay in 2020 for coming into the nation with solid passports. This resulted in a greater than 170-day stint behind bars. With Assis additionally implicated within the ongoing cryptocurrency investigation, their collective credibility seems compromised.
Whereas Assis attests that Ronaldinho has been cooperating with investigations into each corporations and has already furnished clarifications to the nation’s Public Ministry, legislators stay unconvinced.
Their insistence persists: Ronaldinho should make a private look at a committee listening to to ship a firsthand assertion or make issues tougher for him.
Featured picture from Planet Soccer
