Senator Weverton Rocha denies interfering in Federal Police investigations

Brazilian Senator Weverton Rocha has denied allegations of attempting to interfere in investigations conducted by the Federal Police. The denials follow the lifting of judicial secrecy by Supreme Federal Court Minister Flávio Dino regarding investigations into the Tech Office case.

The Federal Police are investigating whether Rocha sought to influence a minister of the Superior Tribunal de Justiça (STJ) regarding a 2022 homicide case in Maranhão. Investigators analyzed communications from the senator’s phone, which reportedly included dialogues with the STJ rapporteur concerning personal meetings and specific legal processes. Rocha maintains that his communications with members of the Judiciary are strictly institutional and part of his parliamentary duties.

In addition to the STJ inquiry, Rocha is being investigated under Operation Sem Desconto for alleged fraud involving the National Social Security Institute (INSS). The senator has dismissed the attempts to link him to the interference as “forçação” (a stretch), noting that his previous candidacy for governor of Maranhão separates him from the political groups involved in the investigation.