INSS CPMI criticizes ministers and goes to the STF against annulment of breaches of confidentiality

The president of the CPMI of the INSS, senator Carlos Viana (Podemos-MG), stated this Monday, 9th, that he requested the Senate Advocacy to appeal to the Federal Supreme Court (STF) against the decision of minister Flávio Dino that annulled the vote of the collegiate that approved, on February 26th, 87 requests for breaches of confidentiality and summons of those under investigation.

By extending the effects of a decision in favor of businesswoman and lobbyist Roberta Luchsinger, Dino annulled the approval of all breaches of confidentiality approved by the commission created to investigate fraud schemes in associative and consignment discounts.

As a result, the Financial Activities Control Council (Coaf) did not send financial intelligence reports that show suspicious transactions by people and companies under investigation.

Among the bank details that ended up blocked were those of businessmen Daniel Vorcaro, from Banco Master, and Fábio Luis Lula da Silva, known as Lulinha, eldest son of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT).

The CPMI targets Master’s payroll loans and Lulinha and Roberta’s relationship with businessman Antonio Carlos Camilo Antunes, the INSS’s Careca, identified as the central character in the illegal discount scheme for retirees.

The CPMI’s operating period ends on March 28th. The suspension of the sending of financial transaction data, in the opinion of parliamentarians, hinders the progress of work.

The testimonies scheduled for this Monday’s meeting were canceled after the witnesses presented justifications for previously scheduled appointments or decided not to attend based on the understanding that Flávio Dino’s decision rendered the requests approved on the 26th of last month null and void.

Dino stressed, in a decision on March 5, that the 87 requests approved days before could not have been voted on as a block as occurred. They should have been assessed individually.

“This decision is absurd. It is a decision that interferes with the prerogatives of parliament and committees, which have been voting this way for years. There was no innovation, no invention,” said Carlos Viana.

The CPMI rapporteur, deputy Alfredo Gaspar (União-AL), stated that the STF has adopted different parameters from previous understandings about the work of CPIs for fear of the investigations reaching what he called the “foreroom of the President of the Republic”.

“Let’s make it clear: Brazil’s Justice, through the Federal Supreme Court, has taken the right measure to benefit certain people.”

Gaspar also made reference to the revelation that Moraes exchanged messages with Vorcaro on the day of the banker’s first arrest, in November.

“Brazil is outraged because they leaked, I’m sorry, president, Vorcaro’s nonsense. But Vorcaro and who? It’s not about him and his girlfriend, no. The naughtiness is on the other side. This man (Alexandre de Moraes) who is here became a hero in Brazil. This man saved democracy, according to some people. This man is the most important judge in Brazil. Applause for him. But, my people, one thing has nothing to do with the other”, he added.

Without testimonies, the CPI session became a meeting for debates. Representative Kim Kataguiri (União-SP) stated that Moraes “should be in prison”. The vice-president of the commission, Duarte Jr. (PSB-MA), said that “an absurdity was discovered” and that whoever should judge “is doing it in the name of their own interests”.

“The person who owes explanations is the person who exchanged messages and participated in meetings with the person under investigation,” said Duarte.