Former driver accused of keeping socialite trapped in his own apartment in Rio says he was her partner: ‘We slept together’ | Fantastic

Former driver accused of keeping socialite in private prison says he was her partner

José Marcos Ribeiro Chaves spoke exclusively to Fantástico this Sunday (5), a week after having refused to participate in a report in which socialite Regina Lemos Gonçalves accuses him of keeping her in private prison for ten years and trying to keep her fortune (see video above).

Marcos recognizes that he arrived in Regina in 2010, recommended by a friend to work at the house. But he says they soon developed a romantic relationship.

The former driver shows videos and photos of what their life was like together.

“From the second year that I was here. From then on, Regina became intimate with me, I with her, I look like that, sitting in the armchair. She would touch me, my hand”, he said.

The socialite’s defense also presented a video of José Marcos’ testimony to the court in which, according to the lawyers, he leaves doubts about their relationship.

She also denies that they had a romantic relationship. “But it’s audacity, audacity,” she said.

The dispute is between José Marcos and Regina’s relatives, a brother and a nephew.

The two sides have been exchanging accusations for 8 years. In 2016, Regina’s brother tried to ban the socialite, claiming that Marcos was taking advantage of her assets, but lost the case. In 2021, Regina and Marcos signed a stable union deed. He was 50, she was 85.

“She wouldn’t even admit to calling me as a driver. We slept together and everything,” Marcos told Fantástico.

The document states that the two were in full use of their mental faculties. Mainly Mrs. Regina, with two psychiatric certificates that prove her mental health.

This will be a crucial point in the dispute. Elsewhere, the document says that in the event of mental incapacity, the other person must be appointed as their curator and legal representative. In this case, José Marcos.

“But it’s fair. 13 years with her. Who’s by her side? Who gives her medicine? Who takes her to the doctor? I do everything for her. I stay by her side 24 hours a day. I’ve never abandoned her,” said the ex- driver.

The dispute follows different paths in the courts. While the allegation of violence is analyzed by the criminal justice system, the issue of assets falls to the civil justice system.

To add to the confusion, there is also another will made in 2024 that states that Dona Regina would leave everything to her relatives. José Marcos would have nothing. But today, he is responsible for managing the socialite’s assets.

“Ms. Regina no longer has the capacity to understand situations that are being presented to her. Ms. Regina speaking, being well, gesturing, does not change the clinical conclusion about her cognitive inability to understand. That’s not me saying, it’s a expert doctor, specialist, psychiatrist, what are you saying”, stated Bruno Bastos, José Marcos’ lawyer.

The prosecution alleges that the report was made in a context in which Regina was in private prison and, therefore, weakened.

“A malnourished lady. The photos demonstrate this. And now, after a good diet, after a night’s sleep, after adequate medication, a new expert report will be made”, said Marcelo Coelho, Regina’s lawyer.

Listen to Fantástico podcasts