Ronaldinho charity under investigation by Porto Alegre authorities

Posted Friday, March 30, 2012 by YAHOO Sport

A charitable foundation founded by Ronaldinho and his brother will come under scrutiny for alleged financial misdealings, after Porto Alegre authorities passed a resolution allowing a full investigation of the enterprise's accounts.

A statement from the city's municipal chambers released on Thursday revealed that the council had gathered the 12 necessary signatures to request investigation into the Instituto Ronaldinho Gaucho. The charity in question was founded by the current Flamengo player alongside brother and agent Roberto Assis with the aim of organizing activities for children and teenagers from vulnerable backgrounds.

The commission seeks to investigate contracts that the foundation signed with the Porto Alegre local government between 2007 and 2010. The total financial support received by the Instituto is believed to top 657,000, split between federal and municipal grants. Ronaldinho's venture ended at the start of 2011, but city authorities want to recover over $191,000 which they claim were used in an improper manner.

The figure corresponds to money used in the 'Jogos Gauchos do Verao' programme, which is accused of financial irregularities. Neither Ronaldinho or Assis has commented on the latest allegations.