After publishing a list with the names of churches and pastors investigated by the CPMI that investigates INSS fraud, Senator Damares Alves (Republicanos-DF) cited the Assembly of God of Amazonas as one of the religious institutions that are part of the collegiate’s investigations. The church and the Boas Novas Foundation are linked to family members of the leader of the evangelical group, deputy Silas Câmara (Republicanos-AM).
When contacted, the parliamentarian stated that the church has already presented the explanations to CPMI and that, for this reason, it is not the target of requests at the moment.
Last Sunday, Damares stated that the parliamentary committee has been under pressure from people and institutions who seek to hinder the investigations because they have identified “big churches” and “big pastors” as part of the illegal diversions.
To GLOBO, Damares responded to criticism from pastor Silas Malafaia, leader of the Assembly of God Vitória em Cristo, who called her “loud” for exposing the connection of religious people with the scheme “without giving names”.
She now states that Malafaia “should pray”.
— Malafaia needs to pray a little. I do not submit my parliamentary actions to him. In addition to the institutions that I disclosed, there are also mentions in the CPI of the Assembly of God of Amazonas. However, the institution has already provided the requested data, which is under analysis — he states.
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Documents presented by the CPI rapporteur, deputy Alfredo Gaspar (União-AL), in November, show that the Brazilian Confederation of Fisheries and Aquaculture Workers (CBPA) made payments to the company Network, which were then passed on to relatives of Silas Câmara and companies linked to him.
Also according to complaints presented to the CPI, part of the money was allocated to the Boas Novas Foundation, chaired by a brother of Silas Câmara. The mention of the Assembly of God of Amazonas and the Chamber’s family members were made by the president of the CBPA.
Allies of Damares and Malafaia claim that the disagreement between them is old and had even been brokered by former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL), during the time Damares occupied the Ministry of Human Rights.
Damares stated that the possible participation of churches or religious leaders in INSS fraud schemes causes him “deep discomfort and sadness”, but highlighted that the CPMI has a constitutional duty to investigate the facts “with responsibility, impartiality and a documentary basis”.
