A judge in Pernambuco, Brazil, has ordered the preventive arrest of Gusttavo Lima, a prominent figure in the country music scene, as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation. The decision, made public on Monday by Judge Andrea Calada de Cruz, follows a broader probe that has implicated nearly two dozen individuals.
The judge indicated that Interpol would be requested to issue a red alert for four fugitives still at large, including two who traveled to Europe with Lima earlier this month. “Lima’s connivance with fugitives not only compromises the integrity of the judicial system, but it also perpetuates impunity in a context of serious crime,” she stated.
In response, Lima described the judge’s ruling as unjust and unfounded, asserting that he has clarified the facts surrounding the situation. “The singer Gusttavo Lima would never be complicit with anything against the regulations of our country, and there is no involvement of him or his companies,” he said in a statement.
The investigation into Lima’s company, Balada Eventos, began earlier this month following the sale of two jets and a helicopter. The judge’s decision noted that Balada allegedly laundered money from illegal gambling activities through the sale of a Cessna 560XLS to a company associated with an online betting firm, Vai de Bet. Lima reportedly acquired a 25% stake in that company in July, and its owner is among the fugitives presumed to have fled to Europe.
Judge Calada de Cruz expressed concern about Lima’s financial ties to these individuals, stating, “His intense financial relationship with these individuals, which includes suspicious transactions, raises serious questions about his own participation in criminal activities.” She highlighted the connection between his company and a money laundering network as a significant issue.
Despite these allegations, Lima has consistently denied any wrongdoing associated with Balada Eventos. “Inserting Balada Eventos as a member of a supposed criminal and money laundering organization? That’s craziness,” he wrote on Instagram.
With 13 million monthly listeners on Spotify and a significant following of 45 million on Instagram and 20 million on YouTube, Lima remains a major figure in the Brazilian music industry.
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