Businessman Fábio Luís Lula da Silva, widely known as Lulinha, allegedly received a monthly allowance of around R$ 300,000 from entrepreneur Antônio Carlos Camilo Antunes, nicknamed “Careca do INSS.” In addition, testimony delivered to the Federal Police and forwarded to the INSS Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPMI) mentioned a R$ 25 million payment, although the currency was not specified. Therefore, the case quickly gained traction in Congress and already provokes political repercussions.

The Testimony and Its Implications

Edson Claro, a former employee of Antunes, stated that the payments were regular and that Lulinha traveled with the “Careca do INSS.” In this context, lawmakers on the CPMI announced that the issue will be debated in upcoming sessions. Thus, the revelation increased pressure on the committee, which had previously attempted to summon Claro to testify, but the government’s support base blocked the initiative.

Journalistic Sources and Confirmation

Reporter Mariana Haubert from Poder360 first revealed the information, and columnist Andreza Matais at Metrópoles confirmed the existence of the testimony. Moreover, members of the CPMI validated the document, strengthening the credibility of the allegations. Nevertheless, Lulinha has not yet responded to the accusations, and the space remains open for his statement.

Political and International Context

The episode unfolds in a moment of institutional fragility, marked by financial scandals and political pressure. Furthermore, Lulinha’s decision to move to Madrid, Spain, in mid-2025 was interpreted by parliamentary sources as an attempt to distance himself from investigations. Consequently, the case adds further tension to Brazil’s political environment, which is already strained by simultaneous crises.

What Is at Stake

• Transparency: The CPMI must clarify the origin and nature of the alleged payments.
• Institutional credibility: The case reinforces perceptions that financial scandals reach figures close to power.
• Political impact: The allegations influence debates on governance and public ethics.
• International dimension: Lulinha’s move to Spain complicates the scope of investigations.

Critical Conclusion

The revelations about alleged million-dollar transfers and monthly allowances to Lulinha by the “Careca do INSS” increase pressure on both Congress and the Federal Police. Furthermore, the testimonies already fuel political and media debates about corruption, proximity to power, and institutional fragility. Thus, the case illustrates how individual allegations can escalate into large-scale crises with national and international repercussions.

CTA: Want to follow the developments of the INSS CPMI and understand how financial scandals affect Brazilian politics? Discover other articles by Pedro Freitas and keep your critical lens on the political landscape.

Sources:

• Poder360 – reporting by Mariana Haubert
• Metrópoles – column by Andreza Matais
• O Globo – national coverage
• G1 – coverage of the INSS CPMI
• DW – international analysis