Son of the Minister of Public Security is a lawyer for a company linked to the PCC
- José Adauto Ribeiro da Cruz
- há 6 horas
- 3 min de leitura
Adauto Police Journalism*
Serious Incompatibilities with the Democratic Rule of Law
The actions of Enrique de Abreu Lewandowski, son of the Minister of Justice and Public Security, Ricardo Lewandowski, as a lawyer for Terra Nova Trading — involved in a billion-dollar fraud scheme involving the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) — raise serious concerns about institutional integrity and respect for the pillars of the rule of law.
Enrique de Abreu Lewandowski, son of the Minister of Justice and Public Security, Ricardo Lewandowski, works as a lawyer for the company Terra Nova Trading, which is associated with a billion-dollar fraud scheme involving the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC).
The investigation conducted by the São Paulo Public Prosecutor's Office (MPSP), the Federal Police (PF), and the Federal Revenue Service, as part of Operation Hidden Carbon, revealed alarming connections between the criminal faction, the fuel sector, and financial institutions.
Conflict of Interest and Risk to Impartiality
Court documents indicate that Enrique Lewandowski is listed as a representative for Terra Nova Trading in legal proceedings, including a tax case in the Federal Regional Court of the 1st Region (TRF-1), filed in 2019, and another in the São Paulo Court of Justice, dated 2021.
In the case of Lewandowski, the lawyer's father, what was confirmed is the revocation of his visa, which represents a severe diplomatic measure, but not necessarily a formal sanction under the Magnitsky Act.
The company, according to Federal Police investigations, was allegedly used to create fictitious tax credits, manipulate prices in internal negotiations and launder money from organized crime.
Use of Tax Loopholes for Illegal Purposes
Terra Nova Trading was allegedly used by Mohamad Hussein Mourad—identified by the São Paulo Public Prosecutor's Office as a central figure in the scheme—to import naphtha at a rate of just 1%, in contrast to the 25% charged in São Paulo.
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This tax distortion allowed the illegal production of fuels at reduced prices, compromising fair competition and favoring criminal practices.
Insufficient Institutional Response
Enrique Lewandowski's office claimed that he has only worked in the company's civil and tax departments since 2018, without involvement in criminal cases.
Enrique repudiated attempts to criminalize the practice of law and reaffirmed his commitment to legality and professional ethics.
However, given the gravity of the accusations and their close relationship with the Minister of Justice's family, such justifications do not eliminate the potential ethical and institutional conflict.
Undermining Transparency and Public Trust
Terra Nova denied involvement in illicit activities and stated that it was not targeted by the operation.
However, the existence of commercial ties with companies under investigation and the use of tax mechanisms for illegal purposes demonstrate practices incompatible with the principles of legality, administrative morality, and transparency—essential foundations of any consolidated democracy.
* With AI Copilot support provided by Microsoft
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