Lula defends allies under investigation for loan, calls borrowing normal

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has defended ongoing investigations into his former chief of staff, Marco Aurélio Santana Ribeiro, who is under scrutiny for a R$ 249,000 loan from businesswoman Roberta Luchsinger. Luchsinger is reportedly linked to a lobbyist investigated for fraud in benefit claims and is also acquainted with Lula's son, Fábio Luís Lula da Silva, known as Lulinha, who is himself being investigated for alleged influence peddling.

During a meeting with allies from the PSOL and Rede parties, Lula commented on the situation, stating that everyone takes out loans at some point in their lives. He suggested that the political right historically uses unproven accusations as a weapon against the left, citing past cases involving Getúlio Vargas and Juscelino Kubitschek. Lula affirmed his support for the continuation of the investigations into Ribeiro, who left his chief of staff position to join Lula's campaign team but resigned after the loan revelation.

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When I see these barbarities spoken against my son... if my son is accused of anything, he will be treated as the son of any person, like me, he will be treated. There will be no privilege.

Ribeiro, through a statement, described the transaction as a personal loan that has been fully repaid and denied any illegality. Reports indicate Lula was aware of the loan days before it became public but not before appointing Ribeiro to the campaign team. Some allies expressed surprise at this, doubting the president's prior knowledge. Lula has not yet issued an official statement on Ribeiro's loan but has publicly declared his intention not to shield his son from any legal scrutiny, stating in a podcast interview that his son would be treated like any other citizen without privilege.

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I will never ask a delegate or a judge not to do the correct things.