Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Brazil’s top court unseals probe into Banco Master fraud
Brazil’s highest court is making many secret documents public.
The documents come from an investigation into alleged fraud involving Banco Master.
The bank’s former leader, Daniel Vorcaro, is alleged to have had connections with politicians and government officials.
Some documents include messages that police say he sent to Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
Another justice, Andre Mendonca, released some of these documents first.
Moraes said Mendonca had used his power improperly.
Chief Justice Edson Fachin ordered more of the investigation to be unsealed.
The dispute is happening during a very close presidential election campaign.
The court plans to discuss the allegations on September 15.
Chief Justice Edson Fachin ordered thousands of pages unsealed from an investigation into alleged multibillion-dollar fraud at failed lender Banco Master.
The probe involves alleged ties between former Banco Master chief executive Daniel Vorcaro and government officials, politicians, central bank officials and Supreme Court members.
Justice Andre Mendonca had released documents containing messages police say Vorcaro sent to Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
Moraes accused Mendonca of abusing his authority, while the disclosures prompted calls to investigate Moraes over his alleged relationship with Vorcaro.
The court scheduled a September 15 full-court session to discuss the allegations as Brazil’s presidential election campaign intensifies.
- Who
- Brazil’s Supreme Court justices, former Banco Master chief executive Daniel Vorcaro, government officials, politicians and central bank officials are involved in the probe; President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro are key political figures in the surrounding election debate.
- What
- Chief Justice Edson Fachin ordered the unsealing of thousands of pages from an investigation into alleged multibillion-dollar fraud centered on failed lender Banco Master.
- When
- The order was reported on September 11, and the Supreme Court scheduled a full-court discussion for September 15.
- Where
- Brazil, including proceedings involving the Supreme Court and events in Brasilia and Sao Paulo.
- Why
- The documents were unsealed amid allegations involving Banco Master, public officials and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, as well as an escalating dispute between justices.
Calls for disclosure and investigation
Challenges to the handling of the probe
Public access to records
Calls for disclosure and investigation
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva supported opening the investigation and disclosing information regardless of whom it might harm.
Challenges to the handling of the probe
The report says it remained unclear which portions would stay sealed and what the immediate legal and political consequences would be.
Conduct of the justices
Calls for disclosure and investigation
The released documents prompted calls for an unprecedented investigation into Alexandre de Moraes over allegations that he acted as an adviser to Daniel Vorcaro.
Challenges to the handling of the probe
Moraes accused Andre Mendonca of abusing his authority after Mendonca made documents from the probe public.
Political implications
Calls for disclosure and investigation
Supporters of Senator Flavio Bolsonaro are seeking to connect President Lula to Moraes, who pursued Jair Bolsonaro over a 2023 coup plot.
Challenges to the handling of the probe
The disclosures have added uncertainty to the election and deepened an institutional crisis within the Supreme Court.
- Bank at center of probe
- Banco Master
- Former bank chief executive
- Daniel Vorcaro
- Unsealing order
- Chief Justice Edson Fachin ordered thousands of pages released.
- Court session
- A full-court session was scheduled for September 15.
- Alleged messages
- Police say Daniel Vorcaro sent messages to Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
- Political context
- The disclosures came during a closely contested presidential election campaign.
- President’s position
- Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he supported opening and disclosing the investigation.