INSS Fraud CPI Grills Eric Fidelis, Moves to Probe Political Beneficiaries

Overview

• Eric Fidelis testified under habeas corpus and was pressed on ties to “Careca do INSS,” as investigators cite about R$5.1 million routed through his office to his father and more than R$10.4 million moved in 2023–2024.
• Federal Police carried out a new Sem Desconto phase with arrests across several states, detaining ex-INSS president Alessandro Stefanutto, and G1 reported the arrest of former benefits director André Fidelis.
• The CPI approved the summons and bank, tax and telematic secrecy breaks for Maranhão state deputy Edson Araújo, who faces PF measures and, according to vice chair Duarte Jr., had a cash-filled safe found at his home.
• Lawmakers authorized requests to arrest Igor Dias Delecrode and Américo Monte, and had earlier approved the seizure of Delecrode’s cellphone for the probe.
• The Senate passed a bill to ban automatic payroll deductions for association dues from INSS benefits, sending the measure to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for sanction with payments to shift to boleto or another authorized method.