(ATR) The criminal probe into the Rio de Janeiro bid for the 2016 Olympics expands to the U.S.
The Wall Street Journal reports that a subpoena has been issued to Brazilian businessman Arthur Cesar de Menezes Soares Filho. Known colloquially as King Arthur, Soares is wanted in Brazil for questioning in connection with $2 million he allegedly supplied in 2009 to the Rio bid for the 2016 Olympics.
Brazilian prosecutors say the money was used to buy the votes of IOC members for the Rio bid. They believe former IOC member, bid leader and Brazilian Olympic Committee president Carlos Nuzman directed the flow of money to IOC members in Africa and Europe. Nuzman faces corruption and financial charges, which he denies. Arrested with TV cameras rolling in September, Nuzman is confined to his home and cannot travel abroad or contact former colleagues in Brazil or abroad.
Soares is still on the run after charges against him, Nuzman and others were lodged in Brazil. Soares is believed to be in Miami, where he has maintained residences foryears. Soares obtained his wealth as a contractor on government projects. His businesses included the popular restaurant chain Porcao in Rio.
The subpoena for Soares calls for his testimony before a grand jury empaneled by the U.S. Attorney's Office for Eastern New York, based in Brooklyn. It’s the same office that is handling the prosecution of ex-FIFA leaders who are now on trial at the Brooklyn Federal Courthouse. Closing arguments begin Wednesday in that trial.
The grand jury which subpoenaed Soares would presumably be questioning him on whether he made financial transactions in the U.S. linked to bribes for IOC votes.
The campaign for the 2016 Olympics included five cities, among them Chicago, the first to be eliminated in the IOC vote at the 2009 Session in Copenhagen. The possible injury to the Chicago bid as the result of corrupt practices may also be triggering the U.S. Department of Justice inquiry.
The USOC as well as leaders of the Chicago 2016 bid have declined to comment to ATR about the bribery allegations lodged in Brazil.
A spokesman for the IOC tells Around the Rings that the IOC has not been contacted by U.S. investigators.
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Reported by Ed Hula.
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