Novo asks the STF to seize Lulinha’s passport in investigation into INSS fraud
On the afternoon of this Tuesday, 13th, the Novo party bench filed a request with the Federal Supreme Court (STF) for the imposition of precautionary measures against Fábio Luís Lula da Silva, known as Lulinha, within the scope of investigations into fraud involving undue discounts on benefits from the National Institute of Social Security (INSS). The party party requests the seizure of the businessman’s passport and the adoption of alternative measures to prison, such as the use of an electronic ankle bracelet.
As revealed by Estadão, the Federal Police (PF) informed the STF that it will investigate whether Lulinha was a “hidden partner” of businessman Antônio Carlos Camilo Antunes, known as Careca from the INSS, identified as leader of the criminal scheme that diverted billions of dollars from pensions. When contacted, Lulinha’s defense said that he never had any relationship with the INSS and classified the mentions as “insulations”.
Damares: CPMI identified “large churches” and pastors in the INSS fraud scheme
Senator stated that the parliamentary committee has been under pressure from religious leaders: ‘don’t talk, don’t say, don’t investigate, because the faithful will be very sad’
“President Lula’s son cannot think that he will evade Brazilian justice. The charges against him, already held by the Federal Police, are very serious and place him at the center of the pensioners’ robbery scandal”, stated the leader of Novo in the Chamber, Marcel van Hattem (RS). According to him, there is reference to a supposed “allowance” of R$300,000, which would justify, in the bench’s assessment, the retention of the passport to guarantee the continuity of the investigations and the CPMI’s actions.
The request, sent to Minister André Mendonça, cites information from the Federal Police in the context of Operation “No Discount”, which points to evidence of Lulinha’s connection with the scheme being investigated and mentions of transfers totaling R$ 1.5 million, attributed to companies linked to Antônio Carlos Camilo Antunes.
According to reports from Estadão, mentions of Lulinha in the investigation include WhatsApp dialogues, flight ticket records, notes and the testimony of a witness. Parliamentarians allege the risk of people escaping from the country and ask for precautionary measures other than prison to ensure the application of criminal law.
The petition is signed by deputies Marcel van Hattem (Novo-RS), Luiz Lima (Novo-RJ), Adriana Ventura (Novo-SP), senator Eduardo Girão (Novo-CE), in addition to deputy Alfredo Gaspar (União-AL) and the senator and opposition leader, Rogério Marinho (PL-RN).
