Brazil’s Social Security Scandal, Nightclub Collapse in the Dominican Republic, and U.S. Terrorism Charges Against Venezuelan Gang Member
By Dacia Richards | HGP Nightly News
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Brazil: Social Security Chief Dismissed Amid Corruption Probe
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has dismissed the head of the National Social Security Institute (INSS), Alêandro Stephanoto, who is now under investigation for alleged corruption. Authorities say the agency illegally deducted funds from pensioners, totaling over $1 billion USD.
Federal investigators executed more than 200 search and seizure orders across multiple states, suspending six officials and seizing assets valued at over 175 million Brazilian reais (~$35 million USD). Stephanoto, appointed in 2023, is accused of overseeing the unauthorized deduction of membership fees from pension and retirement benefits between 2019 and 2024.
While Stephanoto was not arrested, investigators say charges may include corruption, document forgery, criminal conspiracy, and money laundering.
Dominican Republic: Nightclub Owner Speaks After Deadly Roof Collapse
In the Dominican Republic, nightclub owner Antonio Espaillat says he had no prior warnings of structural issues before the Jet Set nightclub’s roof collapsed, killing at least 231 people earlier this month.
Espaillat, a prominent media businessman, was abroad during the tragedy. He said the building had undergone aesthetic renovations in 2020 but never underwent structural inspections by engineers or architects in its 30-year history. The roof supported six A/C units and three water tanks, and had a history of minor waterproofing issues, thought to be caused by condensation.
Authorities are continuing their official investigation, while Espaillat’s legal team considers launching an independent probe into the collapse.
USA: Terror Charges Filed Against Venezuelan Gang Member
The U.S. Justice Department has filed terrorism-related charges for the first time against a suspected member of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang. José Enrique Martinez Flores has been charged with conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, among other offenses.
This comes after the gang was designated a foreign terrorist organization under the Trump administration’s crackdown on violent transnational gangs. Martinez Flores, also facing international cocaine trafficking charges, was arrested in Colombia in March and remains in custody awaiting extradition.
