Brazil's Finance Minister Haddad Condemns INSS Fraud, Highlights Lula Government Investigation and CGU's Independent Role

Brazil's Finance Minister Fernando Haddad condemned the fraud scandal involving the National Institute of Social Security (INSS), stating that the illegal deductions from pensioners' and retirees' paychecks have "disgusted the entire country." Haddad emphasized that the investigation into the fraud was initiated by the Lula administration and defended the actions of the Office of the Comptroller General (CGU), which he said acted correctly and independently by handing over the investigation to the Federal Police rather than the government. He called for exemplary punishment for those responsible and expressed confidence that those involved in the INSS fraud will be arrested and face appropriate penalties.