Former INSS president Stefanutto refuses to answer questions at the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry; rapporteur threatens imprisonment.

Luciano Nascimento - Reporter for Agência Brasil

Former INSS president Alessandro Stefanutto refused to answer questions from the rapporteur of the Joint Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPMI) that analyzes irregularities in discounts from retirees and pensioners, deputy Alfredo Gaspar (União-AL), this Monday (13).

The refusal created a stalemate, and the meeting was suspended for negotiations between the committee chairman, Senator Carlos Viana (Podemos-MG), and the witness's defense.

Um habeas corpus The ruling granted by Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Luiz Fux gave Stefanutto the right not to be compelled to answer questions that could incriminate him. In his initial statement, Stefanutto discussed his work leading the local authority, listing the measures taken to resolve problems such as the waiting list for benefits applications and irregularities related to association discounts for retirees and pensioners.

"INSS employees are heroes because they deliver a service that, as a rule, no one recognizes," said the former president of INSS, referring to the audit actions to investigate the deductions.

"There is no point in this administration that can be raised regarding that. And if we are going to talk about the membership discount, I am ready to answer all questions, as long as they are not asked disrespectfully," he concluded.

Next, the rapporteur began questioning the witness, asking when he started working in the public service. Stefanutto refused to answer.

"I will answer all parliamentarians, except for the rapporteur's questions," he stated. "The question the rapporteur is asking is a preliminary judgment that I will not answer; that is my own judgment," he added.

Gaspar said that the refusal could lead to an arrest warrant. "Silencing a non-incriminating question constitutes the flagrant offense of perjury," he argued.

After a brief recess, the proceedings resumed, with the understanding that non-incriminating questions would be answered. Gaspar resumed questioning, repeating the same question.

Stefanutto responded by stating that the question was ambiguous, since he had already served in the military and worked in other organizations.

“I entered public service in 1992. At the Federal Revenue Service, I was a technician for quite some time and worked for a while in the Superintendent's office—I don't remember the name, as it was a long time ago. Then I took the exam for autonomous attorney at INSS in 1999 and joined in 2000,” Stefanutto replied, detailing the positions he held.

Alessandro Stefanutto He was dismissed from his position in April. shortly after Operation No Discount, conducted by the Federal Police in conjunction with the Comptroller General of the Union, revealed the frauds against retirees and pensioners. The meeting this Monday will also include testimony from the agency's former Director of Benefits, André Paulo Félix Fidelis.