Roberto Jefferson

Roberto Jefferson Monteiro Francisco (born 14 June 1953) is a Brazilian politician.

Personal life and education He was born on 14 June 1953, in Petrópolis, in the state of Rio de Janeiro. He is the son of Neusa Dalva Monteiro Francisco and Roberto Francisco. Roberto Jefferson is married to Ana Lúcia Novaes.

In 1993, he was cited in a congressional report which investigated bribery in the congressional budgeting committee as an individual who should be "investigated further". Ultimately his financial assets were deemed compatible with his declared income, though undeclared assets were found. The expulsion barred him from being elected to any public office until 2015. In 2016 he was elected as leader of the PTB.

In March 2021, Jefferson posted a post on Instagram accusing Jews of sacrificing children, which drew massive criticism from Jewish organisations and led to the removal of the post. The Brazilian Israelite Confederation confirmed it was preparing to file charges against Jefferson.

On 13 August 2021, Jefferson was arrested on allegations of attacking democracy. Since 24 January 2022 Roberto Jefferson is under house arrest. On 23 October, Jefferson threw grenades and exchanged gunfire against agents of the Federal Police of Brazil coming to take him to prison after his house arrest was revoked after he insulted and threatened Supreme Federal Court minister Cármen Lúcia. Two officers were wounded in the incident.