Eduardo Cunha and Valdemar Costa Neto have assets blocked in Brazil over illegal parliamentary amendments

Supreme Court minister Flávio Dino ordered the blocking of R$ 6.15 million in assets of former Chamber president Eduardo Cunha and R$ 119 million of PL president Valdemar Costa Neto. The measures stem from the Federal Police’s “budget‑secret” investigation, which identified at least 21 parliamentary amendments – many health‑fund allocations – that were allegedly directed by the two men despite not holding a parliamentary mandate. The probe found messages showing Cunha’s involvement in steering funds to dozens of municipalities in Minas Gerais, while Costa Neto was linked to emenda‑based projects such as a R$ 280 thousand music‑festival grant in São Paulo. Dino’s decisions also imposed stricter traceability rules, required reports from the Treasury, CGU and AGU, and gave 30 days for congressional committees to explain their oversight of emendas. Although the Prosecutor‑General opposed the immediate asset freezes, Dino proceeded, calling the practice “illegal third‑party control of public resources.”