Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has become more deeply implicated in the Banco Master scandal after Minister André Mendonça lifted the seal on an investigation into Daniel Vorcaro, owner of Banco Master. The newly revealed messages, from Vorcaro's seized phone, show interactions between the banker and Moraes, including discussions about a Police Federal (PF) investigation into Vorcaro and attempts by the banker to ascertain details about the case and involved authorities, such as the director-general of the PF, Andrei Rodrigues, and the prosecutor-general, Paulo Gonet.
The released communications also highlight direct discussions between Vorcaro and Moraes regarding payments for a $131 million contract between Banco Master and the Barci de Moraes law firm, co-owned by Moraes's wife, Viviane Barci de Moraes. Vorcaro explicitly pressured his bank staff to ensure these payments, including a transfer of $3,422,268.14, were never delayed, emphasizing its importance. Investigations further indicate that Moraes himself edited the contract document. The law firm stated it had consulted Moraes regarding potential conflicts of interest due to his wife's involvement.
Additional messages suggest Moraes and Vorcaro discussed the possibility of the PF's "Operation Compliance Zero" and a strategy to avoid a preventive arrest warrant issued by the 10th Federal Court of the Federal District. Two days before his arrest in November 2025, Vorcaro inquired with Moraes about needing to leave Brazil and the status of the investigation. He also sought updates on whether Moraes could "block" any developments. Furthermore, communications detail the issuance of credit cards from Banco Master to Moraes's children, Giuliana and Alexandre Barci de Moraes, each with a $300,000 limit, approved directly by Vorcaro.
The revelations come as Minister Mendonça has given the Prosecutor-General's Office five days to comment on the PF's report, potentially leading to a new investigation. This situation has intensified a dispute within the Supreme Court and between Mendonça and the leadership of the PF, particularly regarding the mentions of the director-general of the PF and the prosecutor-general in Vorcaro's messages. The case had previously caused significant strain when it was under Justice Dias Toffoli's purview and is now central to a power struggle within the STF.
