Brazilian preacher Valdemiro Santiago faces asset seizure over million‑real debt

A São Paulo court authorized the seizure of assets belonging to religious leader Valdemiro Santiago and entities linked to his Igreja Mundial do Poder de Deus after a creditor, journalist Everton Di Souza (known as “Fofoquito”), obtained a judgment for unpaid royalties and services totaling more than R$ 1 million. The decision expands the enforcement to Santiago’s personal holdings, his wife’s assets, affiliated churches and associated companies, citing insufficient separation of patrimony among the parties.

The creditor had previously received only a partial payment of about R$ 100 thousand, prompting the court to order broader asset blocking to satisfy the outstanding debt. The case highlights ongoing legal pressure on the preacher’s financial network following earlier rulings that required payment for copyright and service fees.