Weverton Rocha is not formally investigated, but should give testimony in the coming days; Parliamentary claims that the ‘Bald of the INSS’ presented itself as representative of the pharmaceutical sector and classifies accusations such as Levians
A investigates a fraud scheme at the National Institute of Social Security () that would have caused damage to retirees and pensioners, with undue discounts on their benefits. Among the names cited in the findings is the Senator (PDT-MA), who, although not yet formally investigated, should give testimony in the coming days. The Federal Police are investigating if there was political facilitation for the operation of the scheme. Rocha is named as having connections with Antonio Carlos, known as “Bald of the INSS”, suspected of commanding the fraud.
The investigated would have frequented both the office and the residence of the senator. Rocha’s staff confirmed meetings, but claimed that Antonio Carlos presented himself as representative of the pharmaceutical sector. The senator denies any involvement and classified the accusations as “Levian”. Another point of attention in the investigation is the National Confederation of Agriculture Workers (Contag), which has had contracts with the INSS since the 1990s and would have ties with the scheme. The association, which has declared support for the Weverton Rocha election campaign, is also the target of the findings.
The operation of PF named without discount, which identified the scheme, has already seized luxury vehicles and revealed the involvement of at least 15 names linked to the National Congress. If Weverton Rocha’s name is formally included among those investigated, the case will be referred to the Federal Supreme Court (STF), due to the privileged forum of the parliamentary.
The case rekindled the discussion about the creation of a Parliamentary Inquiry Committee (CPI) to investigate the fraud in the INSS. The STF Minister Luiz Fux requested explanations from the House of Representatives about the possible installation of the commission, while the pressure for transparency and liability grows between parliamentarians and civil society.
Given the repercussion, the Federal Government, through the Attorney General of the Union (AGU), announced that the amounts improperly discounted will be reimbursed to the beneficiaries. INSS President Gilberto Waller said the first payments are scheduled for July, with the completion of the process by the end of the year. The measure seeks to repair the damage caused to thousands of retirees and pensioners injured by the fraudulent scheme.
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the young Pan.
