Medium João de Deus denies sex abuse accusations yet again

Medium João Teixeira de Faria, also known as João de Deus, reiterated he never committed any act of sexual abuse against anyone at his Casa Dom Inácio de Loyola, in the town of Abadiânia, Goiás state, where offered spiritual treatment to women who claim to be his victims.

Today (Dec. 26), João de Deus once again spoke to the members of the task force formed by Goiás prosecutors investigating into the accusations made by hundreds of women both in Brazil and overseas.

The spiritual leader is also reported to have said that his “spiritual” sessions are held in full view of several regulars at the Casa. - divulgação / TV Brasil

According to lawyer Alex Neder, who watched the testimony, prosecutors focused on three of the cases brought under scrutiny by the authorities—according to whom 78 formal accounts have been received from women across the country who say they fell victims to molestation perpetrated by the psychic.

“Mr. João [de Deus] answered all the questions, and denied all accusations,” the lawyer told Agência Brasil. The medium did not recognize any of the three women, Neder said. He could not remember them. The spiritual leader is also reported to have said that his “spiritual” sessions are held in full view of several regulars at the Casa.

“He explained in detail to the prosecutors that the pictures of the places where the women claim the abuse took place are outdoors, where a large number of people are always either waiting for their turn or helping him,” Neder reported.

“He guaranteed to the prosecution that the facts did not transpire as they were recounted,” the lawyer went on to declare.

The defense expects the Supreme Court to consider the release request filed after provisional injunctions were denied by the Justice Court of Goiás and the Superior Court of Justice, lodged in a bid to have João de Deus await the end of the case at home.

“Our greatest concern is the fact that he’s 76 years old, suffers from heart disease, and recently received treatment for cancer, The place [where he is under custody] is inadequate for someone his age, who needs medical care and a special diet,” Neder added, who went on to note that the medium is also legally assisted by another two of the country’s most renowned—and expensive—lawyers: Alberto Toron and Antônio Carlos de Almeida Castro.

“The prosecution put together a task force. We formed a considerably more modest team, but yes, he’s being given solid legal support,” he stated.