INSS fraud: PF targets 'chameleon lawyer' from Brasília on suspicion of laundering for senator

The senator's residence is also the target of searches due to operations considered suspicious involving his wife. The defenses have not yet manifested themselves.

A lawyer working in different political sectors in Brasília, Willer Tomaz is suspected of having carried out money laundering operations for Weverton and providing an aircraft for the parliamentarian's use. Searches are carried out at the lawyer's home and office.

One of the PF's objectives is to seize assets to recover amounts that would have been embezzled. Luxury vehicles and other items were collected during the operation.

Willer Tomaz also maintains a friendly relationship with senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), candidate for President of the Republic. As revealed by Estadão, the two even traveled together on a private aircraft. The PF operation, however, does not involve suspicions against the PL pre-candidate.

During the Lula government, Tomaz maintained close ties with former Communications Minister Juscelino Filho and benefited from a ministry rule, according to a report published by Estadão this Tuesday.

In 2017, Willer was the target of an arrest warrant during Operation Lava Jato, after being mentioned in the plea bargain of executives from the J&F group as an intermediary in the payment of bribes to a public prosecutor.

The Federal Regional Court of the 1st Region (TRF-1) rejected the complaint against the lawyer due to lack of evidence. In a later statement, businessman Joesley Batista retreated and stated that he had not hired Willer with the aim of influencing public authorities.

This Tuesday, federal agents carried out 18 search and seizure warrants in the Federal District and Maranhão. The orders were issued by Minister André Mendonça, of the Federal Supreme Court (STF).

“The investigations began after identifying evidence of financial and asset movements that, in theory, would have been carried out through the use of individuals and legal entities, third-party bank accounts, business structures and operations with cash values, with the aim of hiding the origin and destination of the resources”, informed the PF.

Weverton Rocha was already in the sights of Operation Sem Desconto investigators. On December 18, the senator was the target of a search and seizure. At the time, he declared that he had received the operation “with surprise, but with serenity” and said that he was available to clarify any doubts as soon as he had full access to the court decision.

The Federal Police also identified, on the cell phone of businessman Antônio Camilo Antunes, known as Careca from INSS, conversations about the delivery of cash to a former advisor to Weverton Rocha. Antunes is suspected of leading the fraudulent scheme.

PF sues government against Mendonça’s measures in the INSS case, which involves Lulinha

The body's objective is for the AGU to find some legal remedy to counter the minister's determination so that all acts of the investigation are immediately added to the process being processed in his office.