The testimony of businesswoman Ingrid Pikinskeni Morais Santos at the INSS Joint Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPMI) was closed after she fell ill. Ingrid suffered discomfort during questions from the CPMI rapporteur, Alfredo Gaspar (União-AL).
The president of the collegiate, Carlos Viana (Podemos-MG), suspended the work so that the businesswoman could be attended to by the Senate’s medical team. She left the session before the hearing concluded.
Ingrid Santos was called to testify after Daniel Vorcaro, owner of Banco Master, informed that he would not appear before the commission.
She is the wife and partner of Cícero Marcelino de Souza Santos. Both are linked to the National Confederation of Family Farmers and Rural Family Entrepreneurs (Conafer), an entity identified as the beneficiary of more than R$100 million from illegal discounts on social security benefits.
Cícero is appointed as an operator and advisor to the president of Conafer, Carlos Roberto Ferreira Lopes, investigated by CPMI.
According to CPMI, part of the diverted resources was transferred to the accounts of companies that had Ingrid as a partner.
“I would just like to remind you that the deponent received, in addition to what was transferred to the company’s accounts, more than R$ 13 million, unfortunately money from retirees and pensioners in Brazil. Tears, we can never doubt the sincerity, but the crime committed was also very serious. Our objective is for everyone, regardless of who they are, to answer for this billion-dollar loss”, said the CPMI rapporteur after resuming work.
Before appearing at CPMI, minister Cristiano Zanin, of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), granted the businesswoman a habeas corpus that authorized her to remain silent during the testimony.
The businesswoman was questioned about her husband’s activities and whether she was aware of the companies’ involvement in the INSS undue discount scheme.
To the rapporteur, Ingrid Santos responded that she had no knowledge and that she was not involved in the management of the companies, which, according to her, was the responsibility of Cícero Santos.
“Regarding companies, transfers, I won’t be able to answer anything for you, because the person who managed all of this, as he said here to all of you, was my husband, Cícero. In fact, he even betrayed my trust when I saw the Federal Police knocking on my door, waking up my children and embarrassing my family”, he said.
“For me, everything here is a surprise, including being here is also very difficult, because I never imagined going through a situation like this”, he added shortly before falling ill.
Vorcaro
Before the testimony began, the president of CPMI said that he will appeal the decision of the minister of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), André Mendonça, who released banker Daniel Vorcaro from testifying to the collegiate.
The testimony of the former owner of Banco Master was scheduled for this Monday, but a habeas corpus determined that Varcaro would not be required to appear before the CPMI. ()
Vorcaro, who is under house arrest, was summoned to speak about irregularities involving payroll loans and the losses caused to retirees, pensioners and INSS beneficiaries. Banco Master had a technical cooperation agreement with the institute to offer payroll loans.
Extension
Viana also said that he requested the extension of collegiate work for at least 60 days. According to him, a request for an extension was filed with the House for decision by the president of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP), but there has still been no response.
Having received no response so far, Viana is considering appealing to the STF to ensure the continuity of the work, which began on August 20th.
