Brazil Supreme Court crisis grows over Vorcaro texts

Brazil's Supreme Court is facing a widening crisis over messages banker Daniel Vorcaro sent to a phone number attributed to Justice Alexandre de Moraes before Vorcaro's arrest in the Banco Master fraud case.

A police report seen by AFP says Vorcaro sent about 30 text messages to the number in the days before he was detained in Sao Paulo last November while boarding a private jet. In one message, he asked: "Do you think I need to be out of the country as early as Monday?"

The report says Vorcaro also apparently asked Moraes to help halt the probe that led to his arrest and to set up meetings. It does not disclose how Moraes answered.

Vorcaro was charged with fraud after authorities liquidated Banco Master, leaving debts of more than $7 billion. He later was released on bail. He told police after his arrest that he had "friends in all branches of government."

Moraes oversaw the trial of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who was convicted of plotting a coup to remain in power after losing the 2022 election. The judge is a powerful and polarizing figure in Brazil.

The court was already under pressure over the case. Justice Andre Mendonca ordered records in the scandal unsealed to clarify whether the messages were actually sent to Moraes. Moraes then asked for a probe of Mendonca, accusing him of abuse of power and "favoring certain political groups."

Another Supreme Court justice, Jose Dias Toffoli, was removed from Banco Master proceedings after it emerged that Vorcaro's brother-in-law had purchased part of a resort in 2021 from Toffoli's brothers.

The scandal also reaches into Brazil's presidential race. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is running for re-election in October, has admitted holding an off-the-record meeting with Vorcaro in December 2024 and has said everyone involved should be investigated, "no matter who it hurts."

Senator Jaques Wagner, a Lula ally, is under investigation for allegedly receiving $1 million in cash and benefits, including a luxury apartment, to defend Banco Master in Congress. Wagner has stepped down as the government's chief senator while maintaining his innocence.

Flavio Bolsonaro, Jair Bolsonaro's son and Lula's right-wing challenger, asked Vorcaro to finance a film about his jailed father. Intercept Brasil reported that Vorcaro allegedly transferred about $12 million to Flavio Bolsonaro at his request. Flavio Bolsonaro has acknowledged contacts with Vorcaro about the film but denies wrongdoing.

Vorcaro has also been reported to have had contacts with lawmakers from Bolsonaro's party, including Congressman Nikolas Ferreira. In a message leaked to the press, Vorcaro said he paid for Ferreira's flights; Ferreira admitted contacts with him but denied they were close.