PF investigates Lulinha and Petrobras contract with Unigel for suspected lobbying
The PF investigates if Lulinha and allies interfered in a Petrobras contract that could generate a loss of R$ 500 million. Check the details of the investigation.
TL;DR
- The Federal Police are investigating potential intervention by Fábio Luís Lula da Silva, son of President Lula, and two close allies in a Petrobras contract with Unigel.
- The investigation focuses on whether the group acted behind the scenes to favor Unigel in a production agreement that could have caused an estimated loss of nearly R$ 500 million to Petrobras.
- The contract operated on a tolling model where Petrobras would supply natural gas, and Unigel would produce fertilizers, returning the finished product to Petrobras.
- The Tribunal de Contas da União (TCU) and Petrobras identified serious risks, including Petrobras financing Unigel's operation with expensive gas and low fertilizer prices, potentially leading to a R$ 487 million loss.
- The defense of Fábio Luís Lula da Silva criticized alleged "criminal and selective" leaks of confidential information.
- The contract, signed in December 2023, never became effective and was terminated by Petrobras in June 2024 due to unmet conditions.
- Petrobras stated that negotiations followed governance norms and that it has reassumed the factories and hired another service provider.
- The Presidency denied President Lula's participation or receipt of demands regarding the case.