Alexandre de Moraes faces scrutiny over banker texts

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes faced new scrutiny Tuesday after a federal police report seen by AFP detailed WhatsApp messages sent to him by Daniel Vorcaro, the former Banco Master chief, seeking help to halt a corruption probe.

Vorcaro presided over Banco Master, which collapsed last November and left about $7 billion in debt to thousands of investors in one of Brazil's biggest financial scandals.

The police report says Vorcaro asked Moraes days before his arrest whether he should leave Brazil. “Do you think I need to be out of the country as early as Monday?” Vorcaro asked on November 15, according to the report. The report does not say how Moraes answered.

It also says Moraes personally handled a $24 million contract between Banco Master and the law firm of his wife, Viviane Barci de Moraes. The contract was signed in February 2024.

The Supreme Court did not respond to AFP requests for comment from Moraes.

Supreme Court Justice Andre Mendonca, who is overseeing the Banco Master case, asked the attorney general to comment on the revelations about Moraes within five days. Mendonca also asked that the full court examine the police report containing the messages in an open, public session.

“These are serious accusations,” Flavio Bolsonaro told reporters Tuesday, urging Moraes and his wife to explain what is in the police report.

Moraes is a polarising figure in Brazil. He oversaw the trial of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who was convicted of plotting a coup to stay in power after losing the 2022 election. Moraes has also overseen efforts to regulate tech giants and temporarily blocked Elon Musk's X platform and accounts popular with conservative voices.

The texts were released as Brazil prepares for an election in which President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is seeking another term. His main opponent is Flavio Bolsonaro, Jair Bolsonaro's son.