Moro and Queiroz Clash Over Brazil's INSS Fraud Scandal

Brazil's INSS Fraud: A Heated Exchange Between Sergio Moro and Minister Queiroz Brazil is grappling with a significant fraud scandal within its National Institute of Social Security (INSS). A recent Senate hearing saw a heated exchange between former Justice Minister Sergio Moro and current Minister of Social Security, Wolney Queiroz, over responsibility for the widespread fraud. The hearing took place on May 15, 2025, in Brasília, Brazil. Minister Queiroz directly linked the fraudulent activities to the previous administration under President Jair Bolsonaro. He highlighted that initial reports surfaced as early as 2019, stemming from concerns raised by the Union's Court of Auditors regarding a decision by the former president that ended the revalidation of deductions. "The previous government buried the revalidation," Queiroz emphasized. However, Senator Moro, who served as Minister of Justice under Bolsonaro, countered Queiroz's assertions. Moro stated that his ministry received formal reports regarding the fraud as recently as June 2023, well into the current administration. This discrepancy in timelines has created a significant point of contention. The exchange quickly became heated, with Moro questioning Queiroz's actions during his tenure as Minister of Justice. The detailed back-and-forth highlights the political complexities surrounding the scandal and the ongoing investigation into the INSS fraud. The hearing concluded without a resolution to the conflicting statements, leaving the question of ultimate responsibility for the fraud unresolved. The ongoing investigation promises to shed further light on this critical issue affecting the Brazilian social security system.