The Federal Police (PF) sent a request to the Federal Supreme Court (STF) to open a third investigation aimed at investigating Fábio Luís Lula da Silva, known as Lulinha, son of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The suspicion that falls on him, once again, is of influence peddling, according to the investigation on August 3, 2026.
Investigation into corruption in the Ministry of Health
On July 30, 2026, Minister André Mendonça had already granted authorization for the PF to investigate whether Lulinha was involved in crimes of influence peddling and passive corruption in the Ministry of Health. The focus of this investigation is an alleged favoritism for lobbyist Antônio Carlos Camilo Antunes, also known as Careca from INSS.
New suspicion involving technology company
The new inquiry request refers to a possible action by Lulinha to benefit partner companies. 3Structure It LTDA, a company in the technology sector, has contracts with the federal government totaling R$55,721,051.62 and are currently in force. There are indications that the president’s son used the name Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to facilitate business and raise investment for this company.
Details about 3Structure It LTDA and its contracts
Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Florianópolis, 3Structure It LTDA signed its first contract with the Army’s Integrated Telematics Center in November 2022. The initial agreement, valued at R$21.8 million, provided for an IT and backup communication solution to expand the Army Telematics System’s storage infrastructure. In July 2026, the contract received an addendum of R$3.6 million, increasing the total value.
Lulinha’s defense alleges persecution
Lulinha’s defense disputes the accusations, stating that Fábio Luís has been the target of persecution because he is the son of the head of the Executive. Lawyers criticize the conduct of the investigations, which they consider unnecessary and motivated by his father’s position.
Lawyer Marco Aurélio de Carvalho expressed his indignation, declaring that it is “inadmissible for such an important institution [as the PF] to provide this type of disservice”. He recognized the respect for the director of the Federal Police and the strengthening of the institution’s independence, but warned that “some sectors are using this unnecessarily.”
Comparison with Operation Lava Jato
Carvalho added that “these sectors are promoting probationary fishing, which only had precedents in the country’s history in the so-called Operation Lava Jato.” He described the actions as a “real hunt against Fábio, who carries the weight of his surname”, and argued that, “if he were not President Lula’s son, this investigation would never have been opened and the previous ones would have been archived”.
- Ministry of Health:Fábio Luís is suspected of influence peddling and corruption in negotiations related to the authorization for the sale of medicinal cannabis. This investigation was authorized by the STF.
- Dateprev:The PF is investigating the suspicion that a businessman from the Dataprev technology sector has acted together with Lulinha, the “Careca do INSS” and businesswoman Roberta Luchsinger in an attempt to close contracts with the federal government. The STF authorized this investigation.
- 3Structure It:The president’s son is suspected of using Lula’s name to benefit partner companies. The request for an investigation into this case is still under analysis by the STF.
Previous investigations involving the president’s son
Details of Operation Without Discount that led to breaches of confidentiality
The evidence that led to the current requests for an investigation arose during the breaches of confidentiality of Operação Sem Desconto. This PF operation investigates a billion-dollar scheme of undue and unauthorized discounts applied to retirement and pensions from the National Social Security Institute (INSS).
According to the Federal Police, Lulinha allegedly used her connections with the federal government both for her own benefit and to favor people interested in the sale of cannabidiol, a natural substance extracted from the marijuana plant with several clinical applications.
One of the beneficiaries in this context would be “Careca do INSS”, a figure already known for investigations and operations by the PF that identified him as one of the main operators of a scheme of fraudulent discounts and diversion of funds from retirees and pensioners.
Minister André Mendonça had also previously authorized the opening of another investigation against Lulinha. This investigation deals with suspicions of his action in favor of a businessman in negotiations with Dataprev, the state-owned company responsible for managing data from social programs such as INSS, unemployment insurance and Bolsa Família.
