Brazilian lawyer Nelson Wilians had R$41.5 million helicopter released 15 days before ICMS operation

Brazilian lawyer Nelson Wilians, who is under investigation for his alleged involvement in a scheme to commercialize fake ICMS tax credits, had a R$41.5 million helicopter released to him just two weeks before the operation. The aircraft, a 2017 Leonardo model with ten seats, had been seized as part of an earlier investigation into INSS fraud.

Minister André Mendonça of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), who was overseeing the INSS fraud case, had ordered the helicopter's seizure. At the time, sculptures and artwork, including a painting by Di Cavalcanti, were also confiscated from Wilians' residence. However, on July 30, Mendonça authorized the lawyer to resume using the helicopter, lifting restrictions on its circulation while maintaining limitations on its transfer or sale.

The operation, dubbed "Sem Desconto," initially listed atypical financial movements linked to Wilians. His connection to businessman Maurício Camisotti, identified as a participant in the scheme, was also noted. In a subsequent testimony to a joint parliamentary inquiry commission (CPMI) investigating the INSS fraud, Wilians denied any wrongdoing and stated he had a friendly relationship with Camisotti. Attempts to reach Wilians for comment on the recent operation were unsuccessful.