Franklyn Olatunji Ronaldinho’s trial in Paraguay has entered a new phase as prosecutors are beginning to focus on what they believe is a money laundering scheme involving the businesswoman who invited him to Paraguay.
Investigators will begin reviewing files and messages on the phones of the former Barcelona and AC Milan player and his brother and business manager Roberto Assis.
The lead prosecutor in the case, Osmar Legal, told NESCO MEDIA source that he is investigating the link between the brothers and Dalia Lopez, a businesswoman who arranged their visit and who met them on arrival at the airport in Asuncion before they were arrested.
The chief prosecutor said ;
“SHE COULD BE INVOLVED IN A MONEY LAUNDERING SCHEME AND THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO INVESTIGATE ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT WERE RELATED TO THAT KIND OF CRIME, INCLUDING RONALDINHO,” LEGAL SAID IN AN INTERVIEW. “THAT IS WHY WE STRICTLY MAINTAIN THAT HE BE KEPT IN JAIL.”
“OUR PRINCIPAL HYPOTHESIS IS THAT THEY PRODUCED FALSE DOCUMENTS, THAT THEY USED THOSE DOCUMENTS (TO ENTER PARAGUAY) AND THAT THEY WERE EVENTUALLY GOING TO BE USED FOR SOME COMMERCIAL MEANS OR INVESTMENTS THAT WERE NOT LEGAL.”
Recall that the former Barcelona star was arrested with his brother on March 6 after attempting to enter Paraguay with an adulterated passport, even though as Brazilians they do not need passports to enter their landlocked neighbor.
They have hoever been in jail since their arrests as a result of the judge denying them bail and refusing to release into house arrest, saying they posed a flight risk.
