The influencer will pay 1 million reais to the state and close an investigation into gambling, financial scams and money laundering
The influencer Rico Melquiades surprised the Alagoas judge by signing a million dollar agreement that ended an investigation process into his participation in illegal activities related to gambling. The decision, announced this Tuesday (16/12), prevented the case from moving towards a possible conviction, ending months of uncertainty over the fate of the famous influencer.
According to information from the Alagoas Public Prosecutor’s Office, the agreement was signed voluntarily by Rico Melquiades, who “admitted his participation in the facts investigated”. The influencer agreed to pay 1 million reais to the state, a move that resulted in the immediate release of assets blocked by the courts, including the transfer of a Toyota Hilux pickup truck registered in his name.
Investigations have shown that besides Rico, other individuals may be involved in a complex scheme including crimes such as financial scams, money laundering, irregular disclosure of games and use of false information. The public prosecutor’s office has not yet detailed the names of the other people involved, but stressed that Melquiades’ agreement helped conclude the process without the need for a trial.
Criminal law experts say such agreements, called plea bargains, are common in cases where the person under investigation shows cooperation and agrees to repair damage to the state. “Rico’s payment is not a full admission of guilt, but a way to end the process and avoid harsher sanctions.”explained a lawyer consulted by the report.
For fans and followers of the influencer, the news came as a shock. On social networks, the name of Rico Melquiades was once again one of the most mentioned of the time, sparking debates on the legality of gambling, the efficiency of justice and the repercussions of celebrities involved in criminal investigations.
With the case closed, Rico Melquiades keeps his public image intact and continues his career as an influencer, but the episode once again raises debate about the limits of the law and how public figures can negotiate legal sanctions.
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