Luiz Fernando Correa, security director for the 2016 Olympic Games Organising Committee (COL), has resigned amid accusations of corruption during his time as National Secretary for Public Security in 2007.

Fernando Correa, was appointed as the Rio Games security chief in May last year, but is facing legal action amid accusations of overcharging of up to 18 millon real ($A9.75 million) for contracts for the purchase of computer equipment during the 2007 Pan-American Games which were signed without going to tender.

COL said in a statement that the 53-yera-old Correa was resigning so the case would not interfere with his present role with Rio 2016, but he was “confident in a decision in his favour”.

Games organisers also announced that Chief Commercial Officer Flavio Pestana had resigned because of “personal problems”.