World News
Brazilian Supreme Court roiled as justices seek mutual sanctions over banker probe
Justices Alexandre de Moraes and Andre Mendonca exchange misconduct allegations tied to collapsed Banco Master inquiry.
Latest update: Chief Justice Fachin announced he will seek clarifications from Mendonca, de Moraes, Attorney General Gonet, and the federal police chief, while details emerged of de Moraes's wife's $25 million Banco Master contract and Mendonca questioning Vorcaro without authorization.
The short version
- Justice Andre Mendonca unsealed intercepted messages showing banker Daniel Vorcaro seeking advice from Justice Alexandre de Moraes, alongside findings that de Moraes's wife had a $25 million legal contract with Banco Master.[Associated Press]
- Justice de Moraes petitioned Chief Justice Luiz Edson Fachin to investigate Mendonca for an impeachable offense after Mendonca questioned the jailed banker without court approval or investigators present.[Associated Press]
- Brazilian media reported that Mendonca requested the suspension of de Moraes from the bench.[Associated Press]
- Chief Justice Fachin announced he will seek formal clarifications from both justices, the attorney general, and the federal police director.[Associated Press]
Key facts
- Justice Andre Mendonca unsealed federal police materials revealing intercepted messages where disgraced banker Daniel Vorcaro sought advice from Justice Alexandre de Moraes.[Associated Press]
- Federal police found that Justice de Moraes's wife provided legal services to Banco Master under a 130 million reais ($25 million) contract.[Associated Press]
- Justice Mendonca acknowledged questioning the imprisoned Vorcaro without authorization from the full court or the presence of police or prosecutors.[Associated Press]
- Justice de Moraes asked Chief Justice Luiz Edson Fachin to investigate Mendonca, asserting that the unauthorized questioning constituted an impeachable offense.[Associated Press]
- Chief Justice Fachin stated he will request clarifications from Mendonca, de Moraes, Attorney General Paulo Gonet, and federal police director Andrei Rodrigues.[Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- Reports that Justice Mendonca requested Chief Justice Fachin to suspend Justice de Moraes from the court rely on Brazilian media reports.[Associated Press]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- Brazilian Supreme Court roiled by dispute between justicesAl Jazeera
- Brazilian Supreme Court justices at odds as election and probe into failed bank loomAssociated Press · Wire: associated-press