Singer Gusttavo Lima went live this Monday (30) to defend himself against the accusations against him, after being indicted for criminal organization and money laundering in “Operation Integration”, suspected of involvement in a money laundering scheme via platforms of online games, the so-called “bets”, informed the TV Brasil. The artist says he is innocent.
In the live, via the social network Instagram and accompanied by lawyer Cláudio Bessas, the singer said that his relationship with André Rocha Neto and Aislla Rocha is strictly professional. The couple owns the Vai de Bet betting house. They are being investigated and had their preventive detention ordered at the beginning of the month. The singer is suspected of having helped the couple, considered fugitives, during a trip to Greece.
In the live, Gusttavo Lima said that the trip had already been previously planned with the family to record new songs. “I met Aislla and André in 2022 and my contact with them is 100% professional,” he said.
The singer stated that he traveled on September 1st and that Operation “Integration” was only launched on September 4th, denying that he had sheltered fugitives. The owners of Vai de Bet would have left there for other places, according to the artist.
“I will never run away from my responsibilities,” said the singer.
He denied being a partner at Vai de Bet. “I’m a poster boy, I have a service contract with Vai de Bet”, he stated.
Regarding the accusation that he owned 25% of the company, Gusttavo Lima stated that it was a remuneration contract for advertising services in which, if the company was sold, he would be entitled to receive 25% of the negotiated value. The contract is the payment method agreed with the brand promoter.
“The negotiation of 25% of a possible sale of the brand was concluded. I don’t own the brand, I don’t have the pen”, said the singer.
The singer reported that the image use contract with Vai de Bet was signed in 2022, lasting two years. “I provided all my services, everything was fulfilled 100%”, he stated, adding that the contract for 25% participation in a possible sale of the brand was signed in July 2024.
In the live broadcast, Gusttavo Lima said he was innocent and thanked his fans for their support and prayers.
On September 23rd, the Pernambuco Court ordered the singer’s arrestfor involvement in the money laundering scheme related to the exploitation of Jogo do Bicho and games of chance. The following day, judge Eduardo Guilliod Maranhão, from the Court of Justice of Pernambuco (TJPE), granted habeas corpus to revoke the arrest warrant issued against the singer.
Next Wednesday (2), singer Gusttavo Lima would have a show scheduled in Pernambuco, in the city of Petrolândia, in the backlands of the state, worth R$ 1.1 million, but the show was cancelled.
* With information from TV Brasil
