Brasília – Associations representing Brazil’s public servants have voiced support for Kleber Cabral, president of the National Association of Tax Auditors of the Federal Revenue (Unafisco), following his testimony to Federal Police on February 20th. The case stems from Cabral’s recent public criticism of a police investigation targeting fellow tax auditors.
Cabral testified as a suspect in the inquiry, known as the “Fake News Investigation,” after comparing the scrutiny faced by tax auditors to that directed at members of the PCC, a major Brazilian criminal organization. His comments, made during a February 18th interview with GloboNews’ Estúdio i, sparked the investigation.
During the interview, Cabral criticized the operation against the auditors, alleging that the measures taken were intended to intimidate and constrain the work of the agency. He stated, “This type of measure seeks to humiliate, constrict, and frighten. If you ask today who is willing to organize a team to investigate authorities, you probably won’t find anyone. It has grow less risky to audit members of the PCC than high authorities of the Republic.”
Unafisco released a statement affirming that Cabral’s testimony was solely in response to questions about his public statements. The association emphasized the need for “observance of due legal process” in the case.
The Federal Police initiated the investigation after a request from Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, according to reports. The probe centers on allegations of data leaks involving ministers of the Supreme Court and their families.
Cabral was also summoned by the Federal Police on February 19th to provide further clarification regarding his criticisms of the investigation, as reported by Metrópoles. The case underscores growing tensions between the judiciary and federal revenue agencies in Brazil.
The Unafisco president’s statements and subsequent investigation approach amid broader scrutiny of potential overreach by the Supreme Court, as detailed by Terra.
