Court Rejects Arrest of Corinthians Vice-President Armando Mendonça

A São Paulo court rejected a request by prosecutors to issue a preventive arrest warrant for Corinthians vice-president Armando Mendonça. Amanda Eiko Sato denied the prosecution’s motion on Thursday, ruling that the state lacked concrete and recent evidence to justify taking the club official into custody. The Ministério Público presented the request on Friday, 16th, following the dismissal of Marcelo Munhoes, former Information Technology director of Corinthians and a witness in the case.

The ruling also struck down requests from the prosecutor’s office to bar Mendonça from club property and prohibit him from contacting directors and witnesses involved in an ongoing penal action. Investigators had targeted Mendonça over the alleged disappearance of Nike-branded sports equipment from the club, a case that originated from a 94-page internal audit requested by Osmar Stabile’s administration and led by former IT director Marcelo Munhoes.

Political Dismissal Versus Witness Intimidation

The legal battle intensified after the club fired Marcelo Munhoes, who served as a key witness for the prosecution. Prosecutor Cássio Conserino argued before the 25th Criminal Court that Munhoes’s dismissal represented an attempt to intimidate other employees slated to testify and interfere with the production of evidence ahead of a scheduled hearing on November 10. According to the prosecution representative, the former IT director had supplied technical information that helped identify indications of the misappropriation of sporting goods, and other staff scheduled to give statements during the criminal instruction might view the dismissal as a punishment.

Judge Sato countered that available process information shows the decision to dismiss Munhoes originated from the Corinthians presidency amid an internal political dispute. The magistrate stated that no proof tied Armando Mendonça to ordering or influencing the exit of the former IT director. The court also found no records of contact between the vice-president and Munhoes to pressure him or alter his testimony, concluding that the timing of the firing near the hearing date does not prove interference.

Defense Attorneys Challenge Prosecutor Requests in Corinthians Investigation

Defense attorneys for Armando Mendonça expressed outrage over the prosecutor’s requests. The legal team described the motion as abusive and argued that Munhoes’s departure was a standard internal event tied to club politics, noting that the former director had aligned himself with an opposition slate for upcoming club elections. In the same decision, Amanda Eiko Sato also rejected a request from Armando Mendonça’s defense seeking the disqualification of prosecutor Cássio Conserino.

The underlying investigation centers on Nike apparel distribution and inventory discrepancies at Corinthians between 2024 and 2025. An internal audit alleged that Mendonça made irregular withdrawals of over 130 items, accusations that the vice-president denies by claiming his actions were legitimate and politically motivated. While the São Paulo Civil Police concluded an inquiry in May 2026 without finding evidence of an organized criminal structure behind the missing items, the prosecution formally charged Mendonça with qualified embezzlement, qualified theft by breach of trust, and coercion.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Case

Why did prosecutors request an arrest warrant for Armando Mendonça?

Prosecutor Cássio Conserino asked for the preventive arrest after the club dismissed former IT director Marcelo Munhoes, arguing the firing could intimidate witnesses and disrupt the criminal instruction.

What did the judge decide regarding other restrictions?

Amanda Eiko Sato denied all requested precautionary measures, including barring Mendonça from club premises and restricting his contact with witnesses and directors, citing a lack of recent concrete evidence.

What specific allegations does the criminal case involve?

The state charged Mendonça with qualified embezzlement, qualified theft by breach of trust, and coercion following an internal audit that flagged inconsistent inventory records for Nike products between 2024 and 2025.

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