Volleyball coach is investigated on suspicion of embezzling allowance paid by city hall The Public Ministry (MP) of São Paulo opened a civil inquiry to investigate a volleyball coach on suspicion of appropriation of public funds from Limeira City Hall (SP). The resource was intended to support athletes in a sports project in the sport. According to the MP, the complaint points out that coach Fábio Eduardo Cassiano demanded irregular transfers of part of the benefit received by the athletes. According to the investigation, the coach demanded R$350 of the R$500 paid to each of them. The amounts charged to athletes were deposited via Pix into the coach's personal account. ? Click here to follow the g1 Piracicaba channel on WhatsApp The MP recommended that the municipality of Limeira suspend the contract with the institute for any sporting activity, which involves blocking all financial transfers to the entity. The recommendation was accepted by the city hall (see note below). The technician was removed, in a precautionary and preventive manner, from coordination, training and other functions, as soon as the complaint reached the Public Ministry, on June 17, 2026. According to the investigation, the president of Instituto Crescer Juntos, Fúlvia Lúcia Margotti, was aware of the conduct practiced by the teacher and, therefore, is also being investigated. To the report, Fábio and Fúlvia denied the deviations. The president mentioned that she has all invoices and receipts intended for carrying out the project and that, according to her, they have already been presented in the financial statements. Limeira Forum Government of SP Payments The resources allocated to athletes' financial assistance are provided for by the funding notice with the Instituto Esportivo Crescer Juntos, an organization selected through a public call for the execution of sports projects. The notice provided for the payment of up to R$500 per athlete per month. Letters were sent to Limeira City Hall and Instituto Crescer Juntos, establishing a deadline of 20 days for a response. Prosecutor Débora Bertolini said that there is concrete evidence that the president of the institution knew about the actions carried out by the coach. The recommendation to suspend the contract is based on the evidence contained in the file, such as Pix's receipts to technician Fábio Eduardo and evidence of collusion from the president of the institute. The city hall was given 48 hours to prove compliance with the measure. Prosecutor Débora Bertolini confirmed that the investigation was made official on Monday (13) and the letters were issued this Tuesday (14). The prosecutor reported that around 500 students served by the initiative were affected by the suspension. The Public Prosecutor's Office also forwarded the complaint to the Civil Police, requesting the opening of a police investigation. During the investigations, it was also discovered that there was a private accommodation maintained by the technician, where he selected students for the project. This accommodation is also the subject of investigation by the Limeira Children's Prosecutor's Office. What does the Instituto Crescer Juntos say? In a note sent this Tuesday, the Instituto Crescer Juntos reported that, until the publication of this report, it had only had partial access to the survey, but claimed that there was no misuse of public funds. "We do not have access to what was actually alleged, harming our demonstration at this first moment. We say that there was no misuse of public funds nor their improper use", detailed the institution. "We are in possession of all invoices and receipts intended exclusively for carrying out the project, which have already been presented in the accounting process", he added. "Our lawyers have requested access to the investigation in its entirety and, as soon as we have it, we will speak out. At this opportunity, we would like the same response space to be opened to us", he concluded. What does Limeira City Hall say? In a note sent to g1, Limeira City Hall reported that it had opened an administrative inquiry to investigate the situation immediately after being informed about the case and said that it had ordered the suspension of the contract with the institute. "Although it has not yet been officially notified about the prosecution's procedure, the municipal administration has already ordered the suspension of the contract with the institute responsible for the sports project and the blocking of financial transfers to the entity", he stated. "The municipality remains available to collaborate with the Public Prosecutor's Office in clarifying the case and highlights that any diversion of resources, if confirmed, will be dealt with rigorously", added the administration. VIDEOS: everything about Piracicaba and the region See more news about the region at g1 Piracicaba