Brazil: Bets CPI Arrests Witness for Alleged False Testimony

Brazil – April 30, 2025 – www.zonadeazar.com The Bets CPI arrested businessman Daniel Pardim Tavares Lima during testimony on Tuesday (29), on charges of false testimony. According to senators, Pardim denied information that parliamentarians deemed to be true. The request for immediate arrest was made by the CPI rapporteur, Senator Soraya Thronicke (Podemos-MS), and confirmed by the committee president, Senator Dr. Hiran (PP-RR).

According to Soraya, Pardim lied when he claimed not to know his business partner Adélia de Jesus Soares. Their company, Peach Blossom River Technology, is involved with another company called Payflow, which operates in the digital payments sector and provides services to online betting platforms. Payflow is being investigated by the Civil Police of the Federal District for suspected money laundering and illegal transfers.

— He started lying from the beginning, saying he didn’t know his partners. He lied more than three or four times, and we gave him chances, repeated questions. No one creates a partnership with someone they don’t know. He swore [as a witness] to tell the truth on matters that would not incriminate him. But he also cannot withhold known facts… What we cannot allow is such disrespect within a CPI of the country’s highest legislative body — said the senator, who had requested Pardim’s summons.

Senator Dr. Hiran explained that the legislative police would handle the arrest procedure. He also stated that Adélia Soares will be forcibly brought to the CPI to testify. According to him, she was also summoned to appear in person on Tuesday but did not show up. Adélia is the lawyer for influencer Deolane Bezerra, who also ignored a CPI summons on April 10.

Lawyers
Soraya told TV Senado after the session that “the lawyers got heated” and accused her of abuse of authority. She insisted the arrest was legal and stated she would respond to any lawsuit with “complete peace of mind.” She also mentioned the suspicion that Pardim may be a “front man” in the scheme.

Besides Soraya, Senator Marcos Rogério (PL-RO) criticized Pardim’s legal team. As a witness, he had the right to remain silent if a question might incriminate him. However, according to Rogério, the lawyers “whispered in his ear” and improperly addressed senators directly.

The rapporteur also said she suspects Pardim cannot afford his legal defense, suggesting someone else is paying the attorneys. Initially, he declined to say who funded his defense. Later, he claimed the lawyers were working “pro bono.”

— Even if the OAB ethics code does not require disclosing who pays, we believe someone is paying, and then he lied saying it was ‘pro bono’ — said the senator.

To the CPI, Pardim claimed he works in the food industry and “was planning to open a delivery service.”

Front Man
Senators Izalci Lucas (PL-DF) and Damares Alves (Republicanos-DF) also stated that Pardim may be a “front man” — someone who lends their name to set up a business but doesn’t actually manage it.

— You have a unique chance to cooperate with the CPI and improve your image. The damage to your name is already done. I don’t know how staying silent to protect yourself will help… — said Damares.

Izalci said the witness is listed as a partner in other companies, even outside Brazil. According to him, sports betting companies often set up payment institutions to move their funds.

— These are companies like [those involved in the] “Tigrinho” games that moved billions of reais, creating payment companies that are the main actors in transferring money abroad — said Izalci.

CPI Motivation
The betting sector opened in 2018, but regulation by the Executive Branch was only implemented in January 2025, following a transition period in 2024. The lack of clear rules caused disagreement among experts about the legality of some sector practices.

The Bets CPI, launched in November 2024, is investigating possible ties between the betting sector, criminal organizations, and illicit activities. According to Dr. Hiran, the CPI will also propose legislation to improve the sector and protect the Brazilian population from potential harms.

Source: Agência Senado
Edited by: @_fonta – www.zonadeazar.com