Caso Nike: São Paulo court accepts complaint, names Corinthians vice-president Armando Mendonça a defendant | OneFootball

The São Paulo criminal court has accepted a complaint from state prosecutors and named Corinthians vice-president Armando Mendonça a defendant in a case over the management of Nike sports materials. According to Globo.com, the case centres on alleged irregularities with club-issued kit.

Mendonça is accused of continued aggravated embezzlement, attempted continued aggravated embezzlement, qualified theft through abuse of trust, and coercion during legal proceedings.

The decision was issued last Tuesday by judge Amanda Eiko Sato of the 25th Criminal Court at the Central Criminal Forum in Barra Funda. She accepted the complaint filed by prosecutor Cássio Roberto Conserino and found indications of authorship and materiality of the alleged offences.

Removed from his role since the 8th, Mendonça will have 10 days to present his defence once he is served. Witnesses identified in the investigation will also be heard.

Despite receiving the complaint, the judge rejected precautionary measures, including a temporary suspension from the members’ roll, noting his voluntary 30-day leave. She also declined to bar him from attending the club, finding he holds no influence over witnesses or collaborators.

An internal audit led by the club’s technology director at president Osmar Stabile’s request reported irregularities in handling Nike kit and placed the vice-president at the centre of some non-conformities. Mendonça denied wrongdoing, said the lack of controls occurred under Augusto Melo’s administration, argued fixes were made by the new board, and described the report as flawed.

The complaint alleges he appropriated 131 Nike items, tried to obtain 19 special shirts with an NFL patch, took for himself eight of that commemorative batch, and threatened two witnesses during the inquiry.

Source: Globo.com