'Let them investigate,' says Frei Chico about the Federal Police operation at the union headquarters.
A new phase of Operation No Discount targets, among others, Sindnapi, an organization where President Lula's brother is vice-president.
247 - The vice-president of Sindnapi (National Union of Retirees, Pensioners and Seniors), José Ferreira da Silva, known as Frei Chico, commented on the operation carried out by the Federal Police on the morning of this Thursday (9). The action is part of a new phase of the Sem Desconto operation, which seeks to investigate possible irregularities in discounts on benefits paid to retirees and pensioners of the National Institute of Social Security (INSS).
"Let them investigate," said the brother of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) to UOLFriar Chico also avoided commenting on the execution of search and seizure warrants at the Sindnap headquarters. "No comment, if the police want to come here to investigate, they can come. I have nothing to say," he stated.
Reaction to the surprise of the searches
When questioned about the purpose of the operation, Frei Chico appeared surprised and indignant. "The searches are absurd," he stated, emphasizing that he only learned about the operation through the press. "I'm finding out about it from you," declared the vice-president of Sindnapi.
The new phase of Operation No Discount is executing 66 search and seizure warrants issued by the Supreme Federal Court (STF) in nine states. Federal agents are carrying out warrants in São Paulo, Sergipe, Amazonas, Rio Grande do Norte, Santa Catarina, Pernambuco, Bahia, and the Federal District.
According to the Federal Police, the objective is to deepen the investigations into crimes of data falsification in public systems, corruption, embezzlement, money laundering, and criminal organization. The investigations target three companies suspected of operating the money laundering structure of the scheme.
Ao Brazil 247Sindnapi sent the following note: The National Union of Retirees, Pensioners and Senior Citizens (SINDNAPI), through its lawyers, expresses its surprise at the execution of search and seizure warrants this morning at its headquarters in São Paulo, as well as at the homes of its President and some Directors, in an operation launched by the Federal Police in a new phase of "Operation No Discount".
It should be clarified that the lawyers did not have access to the police investigation, the content of the reasons for the police report, or the grounds for the decision that authorized the initiation of the precautionary measure, but reiterate their absolute repudiation and indignation at any allegations that crimes were committed in their administration or that undue deductions were made from their associates' salaries.
Following the procedure adopted in other legal proceedings, SINDNAPI will demonstrate the integrity and legality of its actions, always in the best interests of its members, guaranteeing them the dignity and respect they deserve.
São Paulo/SP, October 09, 2025.
Daniel Leon Bialski - OAB/SP 125.000
Bruno Garcia Borragine - OAB/SP 298.533
