Brazilian Senator Seeks Federal Investigation into Extortion Claims Amidst Betting Probe
Senator Soraya Thronicke, the leading investigator of Brazil’s Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) on Betting, has requested assistance from the Federal Police (PF) to investigate allegations of extortion within the group.
The CPI on Betting was established in November in response to growing criticism of the betting industry in Brazil, ahead of the launch of the legal market on January 1, 2025. Thronicke initiated the investigation to examine the increasing influence of online gambling on Brazilian families’ finances.
Last week, the CPI faced a scandal following a report by the Brazilian magazine Veja, which alleged extortion linked to business figures in the gambling sector.
Veja reported that Senator Ciro Nogueira alerted the President of Congress, Rodrigo Pacheco, about a lobbyist from Brasilia named Silvio de Assis, who was allegedly attempting to extort members of the industry.
The PF is reportedly involved, investigating Assis’s alleged request for R$ 40 million (approximately £5.2 million / €6.2 million / $6.5 million) from the owner of a betting site, warning that he might need to testify before the CPI.
The businessman refused to pay and was subsequently summoned to the CPI. While Assis did not directly accuse Thronicke of involvement, she is said to have a “close relationship” with the lobbyist.
Thronicke issued a strong response to the “gossip,” labeling it an “orchestrated movement” to divert attention from the CPI’s work.
“In light of the serious allegations, I contacted the Director-General of the Federal Police, placing myself entirely at his disposal,” Thronicke stated. “I have also requested that a confrontation be held between those mentioned. I ask that the parliamentarians mentioned do the same.”
Attorney General’s Office May Investigate CPI Allegations
According to Veja, Assis has previously been accused of corruption after being arrested by the PF in 2018 for a scheme involving the Ministry of Labor. That case is still awaiting judgment.
Thronicke is determined to identify and hold accountable those involved in obstructing the CPI on Betting, stating that it is crucial to ensure that its “mission” to investigate the harm resulting from online betting remains on track.
“The constitution guarantees us parliamentary immunity, which is essential for us to exercise our mandates freely, protected from persecution and unfounded slander,” Thronicke explained.
“When I am attacked unfairly and cowardly, when they try to link me to insinuations without evidence, I exercise that right to ensure that the truth prevails and that my honor is preserved.”
Following the allegations, the vice-president of the CPI, Alessandro Vieira, requested that the Attorney General’s Office open an investigation into the claims.
Vieira vehemently refuted any allegations of his involvement in an extortion scheme, as well as concerns about the performance of the CPI on Betting to date.
“I hope that [the AGU] opens an investigation and, if anyone has done anything wrong, that they are severely punished,” Vieira declared.
“We cannot tolerate this kind of thing. Even more so when we are investigating an activity that involves billions of reais, which drains resources from healthcare, which clearly has evidence of crime, money laundering, and the involvement of public agents.”
Senators Defend Themselves Against Extortion Allegations
The allegations of corruption involving the CPI on Betting are another blow to the gambling industry, which is about to be regulated in Brazil and has been increasingly criticized lately.
It is also extremely damaging to the image of Brazilian politicians. Senator Cleitinho addressed the Senate on Tuesday to defend his colleagues.
“Never in my life will I do something like that. I came here literally to do the right thing, because I can no longer stand the political class being labeled as bandits, thieves, corrupt. We have to change that,” Cleitinho stated.
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