Corinthians handed over more than R$ 3.4m in cash to ex-employee, prosecutors investigate | OneFootball

Corinthians paid more than R$ 3.4m in cash to former security chief João Odair de Souza, known as Caveira, between March 2018 and December 2023. Most of the outlay was unsupported by invoices or receipts, prompting a Public Prosecutor's Office inquiry.

According to Globo.com, the cash withdrawals occurred under ex-presidents Andrés Sanchez and Duilio Monteiro Alves and are logged in spreadsheets the club sent to prosecutors. The case’s prosecutor, Cássio Conserino, estimates the total tops R$ 7.3m after inflation.

Caveira said he handled cash because the club frequently hired freelance security at weekends, on holidays and during protests at the CT and Parque São Jorge, often including off-duty police who do not issue invoices. He said he discussed the arrangement with Andrés and was directed to the legal department and former finance manager Roberto Gavioli.

He added the money also covered minor expenses and tips when accompanying Andrés or Duilio. He said he reported spending to the finance department and was never questioned by the club’s Conselho Fiscal.

Records show he sometimes made multiple same-day withdrawals, ranging from R$ 129.3k in October 2023 to R$ 529 on 29 October 2020. He has been listed as an investigated party in one inquiry but has not yet been called to give evidence.

The cash probe began after reports of personal spending in Duilio’s tenure. Prosecutors are also examining more than R$ 1.2m in cash paid over three years to Duilio’s former driver, Denilson Grillo, amid suspicion that shell companies were used to mask spending and divert club funds. The former president and the defence of Andrés had not responded at publication.

Source: Globo.com