João Vale e Azevedo
Encyclopedia
João Vale e Azevedo is a Portuguese
lawyer and a former chairman of SL Benfica
.
In 1980, Vale e Azevedo was awarded a degree in law
by the Law School of the University of Lisbon. Between 1979 and 1982 he was an assistant lecturer (monitor) at the same institution. From 1981 to 1983 he was a law consultant for the Portuguese Prime Minister Francisco Pinto Balsemão
. In 1983 he co-founded a law firm - Vale e Azevedo & Associados, and was a managing partner of the firm until 2000. He was a vice-president of International Jurist and a member of the International Bar Association
, Association Internationale des Jeunes Advocats, Union des Advocats Europeens and Bank Attorneys. Since 1983 he has been also a shareholder, CEO and/or chairman of several companies operating in different businesses, including finance, food, electricity and real estate.
from Benfica to Portuguese club Alverca FC. Vale e Azevedo was indeed sent to jail while prosecutors investigated allegations that he embezzled at least $1m (£680,000) from the club and laundered cash through offshore bank
s. In 2001, the then 45-year-old lawyer, had been under house arrest in his country home since February. Prosecutors, who feared he would flee the country or tamper with evidence, obtained his imprisonment the previous month.
. There he has been the chairman and CEO of a financial company with participations in sugar
, cereal
s and etanol, as well as renewable energies.
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
lawyer and a former chairman of SL Benfica
SL Benfica
Sport Lisboa e Benfica , commonly known as simply Benfica or occasionally as Benfica Lisbon, is a Portuguese multi-sports club based in Lisbon. Although they successfully compete in a number of different sports, Benfica is mostly known for its association football team...
.
In 1980, Vale e Azevedo was awarded a degree in law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
by the Law School of the University of Lisbon. Between 1979 and 1982 he was an assistant lecturer (monitor) at the same institution. From 1981 to 1983 he was a law consultant for the Portuguese Prime Minister Francisco Pinto Balsemão
Francisco Pinto Balsemão
Francisco José Pereira Pinto Balsemão, GCC , is a former Prime Minister of Portugal, who served from 1981 to 1983.-Background:He is the son of Henrique Patrício de Balsemão and wife Maria Adelaide van Zeller de Castro Pereira , granddaughter in male line of an adulterine son of King Pedro...
. In 1983 he co-founded a law firm - Vale e Azevedo & Associados, and was a managing partner of the firm until 2000. He was a vice-president of International Jurist and a member of the International Bar Association
International Bar Association
The International Bar Association is an international association of lawyers and lawyers' associations. The IBA's stated purpose is to promote an exchange of information between legal associations worldwide, support the independence of the judiciary and the right of lawyers to practice their...
, Association Internationale des Jeunes Advocats, Union des Advocats Europeens and Bank Attorneys. Since 1983 he has been also a shareholder, CEO and/or chairman of several companies operating in different businesses, including finance, food, electricity and real estate.
Chairman of SL Benfica
In October 1997, Vale e Azevedo became the 31st chairman of Sport Lisboa e Benfica and the youngest ever. He won the elections held in the club to choose the personalities for that capacity with 51.1% of the votes. During Vale e Azevedo's three year presidency SL Benfica ran up huge debts and at times was unable to pay taxes or players' salaries. Portuguese Prosecutors also investigated 14 counts of embezzlement. These included allegations that Vale e Azevedo kept 1 million dollars from the transfer of Russian goalkeeper Sergei OvchinnikovSergei Ovchinnikov
Sergei Ivanovich Ovchinnikov or Boss is a manager and former association football goalkeeper who played for the Russian national team...
from Benfica to Portuguese club Alverca FC. Vale e Azevedo was indeed sent to jail while prosecutors investigated allegations that he embezzled at least $1m (£680,000) from the club and laundered cash through offshore bank
Offshore bank
An offshore bank is a bank located outside the country of residence of the depositor, typically in a low tax jurisdiction that provides financial and legal advantages. These advantages typically include:...
s. In 2001, the then 45-year-old lawyer, had been under house arrest in his country home since February. Prosecutors, who feared he would flee the country or tamper with evidence, obtained his imprisonment the previous month.
Emigration to the United Kingdom
Since 2006 Vale e Azevedo has lived in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. There he has been the chairman and CEO of a financial company with participations in sugar
Sugar
Sugar is a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose, characterized by a sweet flavor.Sucrose in its refined form primarily comes from sugar cane and sugar beet...
, cereal
Cereal
Cereals are grasses cultivated for the edible components of their grain , composed of the endosperm, germ, and bran...
s and etanol, as well as renewable energies.