Gusttavo Lima, one of Brazil’s most famous country singers, was issued an arrest order with alleged ties to illegal gambling and money laundering. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Gusttavo Lima claims arrest order unjust

A lot can happen in 24 hours. For Gusttavo Lima, one of Brazil’s most famous country singers, a lot can mean a day of entertainment—singing at a rodeo, watching Akon perform, taking a flight to Miami—and then just as suddenly being the subject of an arrest order on suspicion of money laundering. A spokesperson for Lima said the warrant was “unjust and without legal grounds,” going on to say: “the artist’s innocence will be duly proven.”

Perhaps indicating how thin the arrest order was in the first place, the order was issued on Monday but overturned on Tuesday.

the country music star has 13 million monthly listeners on Spotify

Lima remaining a free man did not stop the story from taking off. The country music star has 13 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and thus the story of the attempt to arrest him spread like wildfire. While Lima may yet be innocent, attempting to arrest him brought attention to the growing epidemic throughout Brazil of unregulated online gambling. The problem has only gotten worse since the COVID-19 pandemic began, with more than a few of the unregulated online gambling companies showing ties to international companies and local criminal groups.

Judge issues allegations of illegal gambling ties

Lima is not alleged to have engaged in illegal gambling. Rather, Judge Andrea Calado da Cruz issued the warrant with allegations that Lima gave “shelter” to a husband and wife wanted on charges of money laundering. But in a turn of events that may not be coincidence, the warrant for the couple was overturned, just as the arrest order for Lima had been.

they allege that Lima received money via companies accused of laundering money

Nevertheless, the judge brought further allegations against Lima, saying the singer received at least R$15.71m (US$2.87m) that prove his ties to illegal gambling. First, the judge said that Lima is the sole shareholder in these companies. Second, they alleged that Lima received money via companies accused of laundering money from online gambling and jogo do bicho, a popular Brazilian illegal lottery. Third, the judge alleged that Lima received R$22.23m (US$4.06m) from selling a jet to one of the companies accused of money laundering.

A statement from the singer’s PR office said: “[the singer] would never be complicit in any act contrary to the laws of our country, and neither he nor his companies are involved in the subject of the police operation.”