adminRIO DE JANEIRO. — Brazilian police said on Monday they have “overwhelming” proof the former head of the Olympic Council of Ireland led an illegal ticketing ring at the Rio Games and are preparing to make a formal accusation later in the week. Patrick Hickey will be accused, along with Kevin Mallon, a director of international sports hospitality company THG Sports, with scalping, ambush marketing and criminal association, said Rio de Janeiro police chief Ricardo Barbosa.
Taken together, the crimes are punishable with up to eight years in jail, according to police. “We have vast amounts of documentary proof and our investigation will wind up on Thursday,” Barbosa said. “The illegal acts were committed by the president of the Irish committee who had complete control over the scheme and the power to make decisions.”
A lawyer for Hickey did not respond to requests for comment. The 71-year-old was released last week from the Bangu 10 maximum security prison, where he had been held since his August 10 arrest at a luxury beachfront hotel during the Games. — Reuters.
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