The CPIs can also order the coercive conduct of witnesses who refuse to give testimony, in addition to being able to request the breaking of banking, tax and even telephone secrecy.
However, all due diligence, external hearings, breaches of confidentiality, summons and testimonies must be approved by the CPI Plenary to proceed.
Once the committee's work is completed, it must submit a final report. This document may be a presentation of a new project or an investigation forwarded to the Public Prosecutor's Office, the body responsible for holding those indicted civilly or criminally accountable.
The outcome of a CPI may vary depending on its final conclusions and recommendations. In general, CPIs can result in several consequences, such as:
Legislative recommendations: The CPI may recommend the slovenia mobile database creation of laws or the modification of existing regulations to prevent similar events from occurring in the future.
Legal action: The CPI may forward its findings to the Public Prosecutor's Office or other judicial authorities so that appropriate legal measures may be taken. These measures may include the opening of criminal, civil or administrative proceedings against individuals or companies involved in the facts under investigation.
Removal of authorities: If investigations reveal irregularities or crimes committed by public authorities, the CPI may recommend the removal of these people from their positions, based on the Constitution and the country's laws.
Compensation: In cases of financial losses caused to individuals or companies, the CPI may recommend the payment of compensation to those responsible.
It is important to emphasize that, although the CPIs have the power to investigate and determine facts, their conclusions and recommendations are not binding. This means that the competent authorities and institutions may or may not accept the CPI's recommendations, depending on the analysis of the evidence and the interpretation of the applicable laws.
However, the conclusions of a CPI can have a major impact on public opinion and the reputation of those involved in the facts being investigated.
Some CPIs end up gaining greater repercussion in the country because they deal with irregularities, crimes and facts that compromise public administration and society in general. Some examples are:
CPI do Banestado (2003): The CPI do Banestado was set up in 2003 to investigate illegal remittances of money abroad through the Banco do Estado do Paraná (Banestado). The investigation found that approximately US$30 billion had been sent irregularly, involving several companies and individuals.
Petrobras CPI (2014): The Petrobras CPI was set up to investigate the corruption scheme involving the state-owned oil company. The investigation, known as Operation Lava Jato, revealed the existence of a billion-dollar bribery scheme involving Petrobras, contractors and politicians.
Covid-19 CPI (2021): The Covid-19 CPI, the most recent example, was created to investigate the actions and omissions of the federal government and states and municipalities during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The CPI investigates the lack of supplies, delays in the purchase of vaccines and the conduct of health policy during the pandemic.
These are just some of the CPIs that have had a major impact in Brazil. Recently, a commission was formed to investigate acts of vandalism committed against the Three Branches of Government, known as the CPI of January 8th.