Federal Police Open Inquiries Into Lulinha Over Influence Peddling Suspicions

The Brazilian Federal Police have requested the opening of three inquiries into Fábio Luís Lula da Silva, known as Lulinha and the eldest son of President Lula, regarding suspicions of corruption and influence peddling. The investigations stem from Operation Sem Desconto, which originally looked into fraud involving INSS pensions. Evidence cited by the police includes messages and paid trips linked to lobbyist Roberta Luchsinger, who is suspected of acting as a partner to Lulinha and businessman Fernando Bittar to secure government contracts. Specifically, the police are investigating attempts to close deals with the Ministry of Health and the state company Dataprev. Lulinha's defense denies any illegal activity and questions the authenticity of the messages, arguing that the inquiries are politically motivated and would have been archived if the subject were not the president's son.

Parallel to the legal inquiries, a public controversy has emerged regarding President Lula's relationship with Luchsinger. In an interview with Jornal Nacional, the president stated that he did not know the lobbyist and had never spoken to her. However, multiple reports highlight photographic evidence from Luchsinger's social media showing her with the president, as well as other high ranking officials. These include ministers of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) such as Alexandre de Moraes, Gilmar Mendes, Cristiano Zanin, and Flávio Dino, as well as Minister of Social Development Wellington Dias and Health Minister Alexandre Padilha. The STF stated that the ministers participate in institutional agendas and public events, while Minister Daniela Teixeira of the STJ acknowledged knowing Luchsinger but denied any improper lobbying.