UPDATED: Hickey Bail Being Processed

(ATR) Brazilian lawyers for Patrick Hickey confirmed to Around the Rings that they have paid the full amount for their client’s bail.

Simone Kamentz, one of Hickey’s lawyers in Brazil, says a statement from the State Court of Rio de Janeiro that Hickey’s bail is in the process of being renegotiated is not accurate. The money has left the accounts of the law firm and is awaiting transfer to the State Court, according to Kamentz.

"We have deposited the full amount," Simone told ATR. "The money is [working its way through compliance]."

Last month Judge Melo ruled in favor of returning Hickey’s passport for medical reasons. Bail was set at $439,000 as part of the condition for his release. In addition to setting bail, Judge Melo’s ruling stated that Hickey would only be allowed to leave Brazil if he would cooperate with the full investigation and return to face trial. No date for the trial has been set, and Brazil and Ireland currently do not have an extradition treaty.

On Dec. 1 the Association of National Olympic Committees said it would loan Hickey the bail money on "humanitarian grounds". ANOC, in a statement, said it would expect Hickey to repay the loan in full. The bail money would be returned to Hickey, in full, if he were to be found not guilty of the charges of ticket touting, forming a cartel, and illegally marketing the 2016 Olympics. If convicted he faces up to seven years in prison in Rio de Janeiro.

Earlier today, the State Court of Rio told ATR that it has not received any money from Hickey’s lawyers. As the money is in the Brazilian banking system, it must go through checks from the central bank before being received by the courts. The court said they had received word from Hickey’s lawyers that they were requesting a smaller amount to receive Hickey’s passport.

"We do not have information on the amount requested," the court spokesperson said. "The case was referred to the Public Prosecutor's Office to evaluate the request."

Kamentz denied "[seeking] out a lower amount," and questioned the court’s statement.

ATR could not confirm if ANOC had been in touch with Hickey’s lawyers. Kamentz could not disclose that information, and requests for comment from ANOC were not returned.

When the funds do reach the state court, Hickey will be eligible to receive his passport. When Hickey’s passport is returned, he will be able to leave Brazil immediately. Hickey is expected to seek medical treatment outside of Brazil for a heart condition.

Written by Aaron Bauer

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