A Supreme Court justice has authorized federal police to investigate Fabio Luis "Lulinha" Lula da Silva on suspicions he aided a lobbyist in dealings with the health ministry related to a cannabidiol drug contract. The probe seeks to determine whether he helped secure ministry access for businessman Antonio Carlos Camilo Antunes. The inquiry has not been formally opened and follows an earlier investigation into alleged improper payments tied to irregular INSS pension deductions. President Lula said his son will be treated like any other citizen and he will not intervene.
Brazil Supreme Court Authorizes Probe Into President Lula's Son Over Lobbying Allegations
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva gestures, as he attends a joint press statement with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (not pictured) at the Alvorada Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, July 27, 2026. REUTERS/Adriano Machado
SAO PAULO, July 30 (Reuters) - A justice of Brazil's Supreme Court has authorized federal police to investigate Fabio Luis Lula da Silva, known as "Lulinha," the son of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, on suspicions that he improperly aided a lobbyist in dealings with the health ministry, two sources with direct knowledge of the decision said.
Federal police last week requested permission to open an inquiry into alleged influence-peddling and corruption on behalf of businessman Antonio Carlos Camilo Antunes. Investigators are expected to examine whether Lulinha helped secure access for Antunes' companies to health ministry officials in connection with a government contract involving a cannabidiol-based medicine, one source said.
Lawyers for Fabio Luis did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and Antunes' legal representatives could not be reached right away, according to Reuters.
The probe has not yet been formally opened, a federal police source added.
Separate Inquiry Earlier This Year
Earlier in 2024, Supreme Court Justice Andre Mendonca also authorized federal police to launch another investigation into Lulinha over allegations he received improper payments tied to a scheme involving irregular deductions from pensions administered by Brazil's National Social Security Institute (INSS), a case that likewise involved Antunes.
In a recent interview, President Lula said his son will be treated like any other citizen and that he will not use his position to interfere in the investigation. On the Inteligencia Ltda. podcast, Lula said:
"I will not use my position to protect him. If you've done something wrong, you'll pay the price for it. If you haven't, defend yourself."
Reporting by Ricardo Brito; writing by Oliver Griffin; editing by Chris Reese and Edwina Gibbs.
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