INSS Inquiry Questions Onyx Lorenzoni as Panel Seeks Arrests in R$700 Million Discount Probe

Overview

• The CPMI heard the former Labor and Social Security minister on November 6 as it maps responsibility for fraudulent consignado operations and unauthorized associational discounts affecting INSS beneficiaries.
• Pressed about a R$60,000 donation from investigated businessman Felipe Macedo Gomes, Onyx said he does not know him, declared he “never asks money from criminals,” and said donations were vetted by his campaign accountant.
• Onyx argued that ministers have no discretionary power to authorize agreements with associative entities and said ACTs tied to discounts do not pass through the minister’s office.
• He defended his son, lawyer Pietro Lorenzoni, over work for an entity under investigation, denying interference or any link to his tenure at the ministry.
• The commission approved five preventive-detention requests to be sent to the Supreme Federal Court, ordered a face-off between “Careca do INSS” and lawyer Eli Cohen, expanded secrecy breaks, and cited ties that routed about R$700 million since 2022, including roughly R$300 million to Amar Brasil.