Brazil Federal Police investigate Lulinha in Unigel-Petrobras probe

The Brazilian Federal Police are investigating Fábio Luís Lula da Silva, known as Lulinha, the eldest son of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, regarding his alleged involvement in business negotiations between the fertilizer producer Unigel and Petrobras.

Investigations suggest that lobbyist Roberta Luchsinger coordinated payments and consultancy contracts to facilitate an agreement between Unigel and Petrobras, aimed at helping the company avoid bankruptcy and secure BNDES financing. Reports indicate that between March 2023 and July 2024, Unigel director Leonardo Slezynger allegedly transferred R$ 1.26 million to Luchsinger.

Recovered messages from Luchsinger’s phone suggest she coordinated specific payments to Fábio, including R$ 26,809 for travel expenses through a travel agency. The probe also examines whether Lulinha acted in favor of Unigel’s interests alongside Luchsinger and former presidential chief of staff Marco Aurélio Santana Ribeiro. Lulinha’s defense has contested the authenticity of the messages and denied that the individuals mentioned in the dialogues are him.