Mauricio Camisotti, the businessman at the center of the INSS’s multibillion-dollar corruption investigation, has tried in recent weeks to negotiate an award-winning cooperation agreement with federal police. However, at least for now, negotiations are stalling.
- closed system: Bolsonaro must remain in the “Papuzinha” military battalion if arrested by Alexandre de Moraes
- core 3: Black children watched as Alexandre de Moraes organized a coup while on military leave
The businessman is being investigated by the PF as a direct beneficiary of the fraud and has been identified as a hidden partner in an entity linked to an organization that unfairly discounted thousands of pensions.
The mere prospect of Camisotti’s accusations has already caused panic among members of various political parties in Brasilia’s political circles, who fear that they will be dragged into the center of a scandal with less than a year to go before the next elections.
- meeting: What Delight agreed to negotiate with the Lula government and what will not change with the security project
- judiciary: New deadline for resumption of Claudio Castro impeachment trial
Camisotti has been in prison since September and has been named as one of the masterminds of the pension embezzlement scheme, along with the “bald man of the INSS” Antonio Carlos Camilo Antunes.
But despite the signals Camisotti has sent, negotiations over a plea deal have not yet begun, according to sources familiar with the case heard by this blog. That’s because he hasn’t actually shown any intention to hand over any new information or to repay the money he illegally received, two of the main requirements needed to justify a reduced sentence agreement.
According to the PF, Camisotti controlled three entities that earned more than R$1 billion in illegal discounts and would have received at least R$43 million from these entities. In addition to triggering one of Lula’s biggest political crises, the plan would divert a total of R$6.3 billion between 2019 and 2024.
- Coup plan: Bolsonaro’s lawyer prepares final move to overturn conviction
- Please also read: Bolsonaro’s strategy to avoid the risk of being arrested for Papda
Camisotti was arrested on a decision by Minister Andre Mendonça of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) after federal police warned the court that the person being investigated had “political influence” and “capacity for large-scale financial transactions” and was a flight risk that could complicate further investigation.
In October, the STF’s second committee unanimously supported the arrest of him and “Careca”, but Minister Gilmar Mendez declared himself impeached and did not take part in the analysis of the case.
The suspicions arose after investigators discovered that the businessman had withdrawn R$7.2 million in cash in 17 withdrawals between 2018 and 2025, according to a report by the Financial Activity Control Council (Coaf).
PF said, “As Mr. Korff pointed out, it is clear that Mr. Camisotti has committed serious acts related to the deterioration of the property.” He is being investigated on charges of money laundering, asset concealment and forming a criminal organization.
- Castro’s downfall: Behind-the-scenes battle to stop the TSE trial
- Casio coefficient: Mr. Castro’s script to escape TSE revocation
The INSS CPI has already approved Mr. Camisotti’s request to break tax and banking secrecy and has subpoenaed him for further testimony, which has not yet taken place.
Camisotti’s defense lawyers told the blog that the businessman “never profited from embezzlement or fraud related to INSS” and denied that he had negotiated “a plea bargain agreement with any authorities”. This column holds published information.
About The Author
