Santa Clara SAD claims deputies searches linked to previous administrations

This Monday, Santa Clara said that the searches carried out on suspicion of alleged misuse of money are related to management acts of previous administrations and that it intends to cooperate with the Department of State (MP).

“Santa Clara Açores – Futebol SAD confirms that the prosecutor’s office is taking steps on the premises of the joint stock company. This collection of documentation is related to the management acts of previous administrations, ”the Azorean club said in a statement.

This Monday, the deputy said that he had carried out searches in the Azores and various parts of the mainland on suspicion of the alleged misuse of money from Santa Clara by transferring money to the accounts of administrators.

“This SAD has cooperated – and will always continue to do so – with the investigation of the authorities, waiting for the normal administration of justice,” says Santa Clara.

According to a report published on the website of the Central Directorate of Investigation and Criminal Affairs (DCIAP), searches were carried out in residential buildings in Ponta Delgada, Vila Nova de Famalicán, Moimenta da Beira, Espinho, Lisbon, as well as Madeira . Law firms located in Lisbon and the Azores and three Azores companies were also raided.

“We are talking about facts that can constitute the practice of crimes of money laundering, economic participation in business, embezzlement and breach of trust,” the deputy stressed, adding that the DKIAP investigation is being supported by the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Azores Judicial Police (PJ).

The current president of Santa Clara SAD, businessman Bruno Bello Vicintin, acquired 55.8% of the island emblem’s share capital on July 14, 2022, replacing Ismail Uzun, who has led SAD since August 2021.

Until August 2021, Azorean SAD was led by Rui Cordeiro, who was also the president of the club.