Tension Rises Between Brazil's Federal Police and Supreme Court Justice Over INSS Fraud Probe

A conflict has emerged between the leadership of the Federal Police (PF) and Supreme Court Justice André Mendonça regarding an investigation into frauds at the National Social Security Institute (INSS). The tension escalated after Justice Mendonça ordered the Director General of the PF, Andrei Rodrigues, to be excluded from the case and denied access to its information. Rodrigues responded by stating he has followed rules against interfering in subordinates' inquiries for over 20 years.

The dispute intensified when the PF changed the coordination of the inquiry, leading Mendonça to question the pace of the investigation and order that all case information and full transcriptions of forensics be added to the records immediately. He further mandated that any removal of police officers from the team be reported to his office in advance. In an unprecedented move, the PF sought legal measures through the Attorney General of the Union (AGU) to contest this decision.

The investigation involves Fábio Luís Lula da Silva, known as Lulinha and the eldest son of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who is alleged to be a hidden partner of Antônio Camilo Antunes. While 27 PF superintendents issued a joint note emphasizing the institution's commitment to the Constitution, some delegates suggest the clash has created a hostile environment. However, these delegates maintain that the institutional disagreement has not interfered with the actual progress of the investigation.

To resolve the crisis, Attorney General Jorge Messias coordinated a meeting between Justice Mendonça and Justice Minister Wellington César. This led to a proposal for a direct meeting between Mendonça and Andrei Rodrigues, though a date has not yet been set.