PGR Requests Lulinha Influence Peddling Case Be Moved from Supreme Court

The Prosecutor General's Office (PGR) has requested that Supreme Court (STF) Minister André Mendonça transfer an investigation into Fábio Luís Lula da Silva, known as Lulinha, to a lower court. The PGR argues that the case should be moved to the first instance of justice because no individuals with privileged forum status are involved in the investigation. Lulinha, the eldest son of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is being investigated for suspected influence peddling within the federal government. Minister Mendonça has not yet ruled on the request.

The investigation centers on allegations that Lulinha and a group of associates attempted to sell a medicinal cannabis project to the Ministry of Health. Federal Police reports indicate that lobbyist Roberta Luchsinger allegedly acted on behalf of Lulinha, using the phrase "I am Fábio" in messages to identify herself as his representative. The group reportedly sought a 20 percent profit margin on the deal, which was not finalized. The Ministry of Health stated in a note that it never contracted for canabidiol as the product is not incorporated into the Unified Health System (SUS).

Lulinha is currently the subject of three inquiries at the STF. Two are overseen by Minister Mendonça, including one regarding the Ministry of Health and another involving the state company Dataprev. A third inquiry, regarding the leak of information about the cannabis investigation, is overseen by Minister Flávio Dino. The defense for Lulinha denies any wrongdoing and has criticized the leaks of information as selective and politically motivated. Roberta Luchsinger has also denied irregularities, stating that criminalizing friendships affronts the principles of the democratic state of law.