Brazilian Supreme Court justice authorizes investigation into president's son

Brazil's Supreme Court has authorized a federal police investigation into President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's son, Fabio Luis, over alleged corruption and influence peddling.

Brazilian Supreme ​Court Justice Andre Mendonca has authorized ​federal police to investigate Fabio ‌Luis Lula ​da Silva, son of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, over suspicions he improperly helped a lobbyist ‌in dealings with the health ministry, two sources with direct knowledge of the decision told Reuters.

Last week, federal police sought permission to open an investigation into Fabio ‌Luis, known as "Lulinha," for alleged influence peddling and corruption on behalf of Antonio ‌Carlos Camilo Antunes, in dealing with the ministry. One line of inquiry is investigating if Lulinha helped provide Antunes' businesses with access to health ministry officials in connection with a government deal ⁠involving ​a cannabidiol-based medication, one ⁠of the sources said.

Lawyers for Fabio Luis did not immediately respond to a request for comment. ⁠Antunes' legal representatives could not immediately be reached for comment. The investigation into Fabio Luis ​has not yet been formally opened, a federal police source said.

Mendonca also ⁠granted federal police permission to launch another investigation into Lulinha earlier this year over allegations he ⁠received ​improper payments linked to a scheme involving irregular deductions from pensions administered by Brazil's National Social Security Institute (INSS), which also involved Antunes. Asked about his son ⁠in a February interview with news outlet UOL, Lula said he had confronted Fabio ⁠Luis about the ⁠INSS case.

"If you've done something wrong, you'll pay the price for it. If you haven't, defend yourself," Lula told ‌UOL.