Universal Church Maintained Illegal Overseas Scheme, Says Ex-Bishop

08/15/2016 - 11h18

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MARINA DIAS

SPECIAL ENVOY TO RIO

An ex-bishop for the Universal Church of the United Kingdom of God has accused the church of maintaining an illegal scheme for at least 7 years to manage millions of dollars abroad.

According to the former bishop's story, the money would have been used to fund the institution and its broadcasting station, Rede Record, in Europe.

Alfredo Paulo Filho, 49, said he was responsible for the Universal Church in Portugal between 2002 and 2009 and one of the main assistants to bishop Edir Macedo, the founder of the church, for more than ten years.

According to the former bishop, the church's leadership created a route to make illegal remittances, from Africa to Europe, at least twice a year.

He says the dollars came from a campaign led by the church in Angola, Fogueira Santa, and close to US$ 5 million were transferred per trip.

The ex-bishop recounts his participation in the scheme and says the millions of dollars arrived in Europe in a private jet after being transported from Angola to South Africa by car.

Once in Portugal, the dollars were exchanged for euros and deposited in an account at the bank BCP, as church tithes. From there, he says, they were transferred to other European countries.

A little over a month ago, Paulo Filho began to post videos on the internet with the accusations and the case was reported by the Angolan media.

Attorney and professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation in São Paulo, Edison Fernandes, told Folha that, in theory, the church could be charged with tax evasion and money laundering in this case.

OTHER SIDE

When contacted by Folha, the Universal Church of the United Kingdom of God, by way of its advisors, said that it is "preparing to file a lawsuit against the former bishop" Alfredo Paulo Filho for libel.

"Therefore, we will not comment on the matter out of court," the church representatives said.

"We are confident that the Brazilian justice system, will once again reveal the truth in this new attempt to taint the church's image, assigning exemplary punishment to the liar," he emphasized.

Rede Record refused to comment.

Founded in 1977 in Rio de Janeiro by Edir Macedo, today the Universal Church has a presence in more than 100 countries.

Translated by SUGHEY RAMIREZ

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