CPMI invites former ministers and summons former INSS presidents; see the list

The INSS (National Institute of Social Security) Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPMI) approved a series of requests on Tuesday, the 26th, marking the formal start of investigations into retirement and pension fraud. The list includes an invitation to all former Social Security ministers since 2015, as well as ten former INSS presidents, who will be required to explain management failures and their responsibilities for irregular benefit deductions.

The panel decided to hear from former ministers Eduardo Gabas (Dilma Rousseff), Marcelo Caetano (Michel Temer), José Carlos Oliveira (Jair Bolsonaro), Onyx Lorenzoni (Jair Bolsonaro), and Carlos Lupi (Lula III). Current minister Wolney Queiroz was also invited.

Ten former INSS presidents will also be called:

• Lindolfo Neto de Oliveira Sales ;
• Renato Rodrigues Vieira ;
• Leonardo José Rolim Guimarães ;
• Alessandro Antonio Stefanutto ;
• Elisete Berchiol da Silva Iwai ;
• Guilherme Gastaldello Pinheiro Serrano ;
• Glauco André Fonseca Wamburg ;
• Leonardo de Melo Gadelha ;
• Edison Antonio Costa Britto Garcia ;
• Francisco Paulo Soares Lopes .

The committee also approved the invitation of key officials in the ongoing investigations: Eliane Viegas Mota (CGU), Bruno Bergamaschi (PF), and Patrícia Bettin Chaves (DPU). Lawmakers will also hear from attorney Eli Cohen , who raised the initial allegations that led to the Federal Police's Operation Sem Desconto .

The coalition and the opposition reached an agreement to convert all summonses of former ministers into invitations, which does not obligate the invited party to appear before the CPMI. However, if someone fails to appear, the invitation reverts to a summons, and the target is required to appear before the committee.

Confidential information

In another vein, the CPMI approved requests for access to confidential information, such as Federal Police investigations, ongoing proceedings at the Supreme Federal Court, reports from the Comptroller General's Office, and audits from the Federal Court of Auditors. Documents from the INSS (National Institute of Social Security), the Ministry of Social Security, and the National Social Security Council will also be requested.

To strengthen its team, the CPMI requested technical support from several oversight and investigation agencies. Auditors from the CGU, TCU, the Federal Revenue Service, and the Central Bank, as well as prosecutors from the Federal Public Ministry and federal police, will work directly with the commission during its 180 days of operation.

With the approvals, the panel begins its practical phase of investigation, aiming, in theory, to reconstruct the fraudulent scheme and hold public and private agents accountable. Rapporteur Alfredo Gaspar (União-AL) emphasized that the work should prioritize the analysis of illegal discounts since 2015 and follow six lines of investigation, according to its work plan .