President Lula’s son is indirectly cited in a phase of a federal investigation
01/09/2026
Brazil’s Federal Police, an agency similar to the FBI, is investigating allegations that Fábio Luís Lula da Silva, the son of President Lula, may have acted as a “hidden partner” of businessman Antônio Carlos Camilo Antunes, known as the “Bald of the INSS.” The information was first reported by O Estado de S. Paulo and confirmed by Valor.
The name of the president’s son was indirectly cited in December during one phase of Operation No Deduction, which is investigating an alleged fraud scheme involving unauthorized discounts applied to benefits paid to retirees and pensioners by the National Institute of Social Security (INSS).
The Federal Police informed Justice André Mendonça of the Federal Supreme Court that it is examining the alleged involvement of Lula’s son. One reference to him appears in testimony given to the Federal Police by businessman Edson Claro, who is linked to Antunes.
Fábio Luís Lula da Silva has not hired legal counsel specifically for the case, as he is not formally under investigation. Marco Aurélio de Carvalho, a lawyer who represents him in other matters, denies any wrongdoing and said he learned of the citation through the press, which he described as “serious.”
“There was no prior communication. I found out through the press, which is very serious,” Carvalho said. “It suggests that methods used during Operation Car Wash are being repeated. He is not accused and has no direct or indirect connection to the facts.”
“He has neither hired nor intends to hire a lawyer for this case. He denies any link to the “Bald of the INSS” and remains completely calm,” Carvalho added. “He was also not surprised by the attempt to implicate him. This is yet another effort to wear him and his family down. What is truly serious is the leak of information from a confidential investigation. We will request that the managing director of the Federal Police investigate these leaks.”
In December, after his son’s name surfaced, President Lula said that any involvement in the alleged INSS fraud scheme would be thoroughly investigated.
“If my son is involved in INSS fraud, he will be investigated. If Fernando Haddad is involved in INSS fraud, he will be investigated,” the president said at the time. “As far as the presidency is concerned, everything will be done to show Brazil that INSS fraud will be dealt with seriously.”
*By Tiago Angelo and Isadora Peron — Brasília
Source: Valor International
https://valorinternational.globo.com/