STF Minister André Mendonça reduced the secrecy level of the Banco Master fraud inquiry on Thursday (19), after taking over from Dias Toffoli. The decision grants the Federal Police broader access to seized materials and authorizes ordinary procedures, such as depositions. This reverses prior restrictions set by Toffoli.
STF Minister André Mendonça assumed the rapporteurship of the Banco Master fraud inquiry on February 12, 2026, after Dias Toffoli stepped down due to controversial decisions and revealed connections to involved parties, such as former banker Daniel Vorcaro.
In a ruling on February 19, Mendonça lowered the secrecy level previously set by Toffoli, from level 4 (maximum secrecy) to level 3 (standard secrecy). He authorized the Federal Police (PF) to follow their normal expertise procedures, revoking the limit to just four federal criminal experts. This allows more PF servers to access seized materials, including about 100 electronic devices like cell phones.
The PF reported that a single expert would take approximately 20 weeks to examine the devices, justifying broader involvement. Mendonça also permitted ordinary diligences, such as interviewing suspects and witnesses at PF facilities, without prior consultation to the rapporteur, except for authorities with special forum privileges.
"Only the police authorities and agents directly involved in the analysis and conduct of the reciprocally shared procedures should have knowledge of the accessed information," Mendonça stated in the decision, stressing the duty of professional secrecy.
Previously, Toffoli ordered seized goods and documents to be sealed and stored first at the STF and then at the Attorney General's Office (PGR). Federal experts consulted by Folha said this could compromise the investigations, and the National Association of Federal Criminal Experts (APCF) criticized assigning proof elaboration to the PGR. Mendonça required that any new related investigations be expressly requested and reviewed by him in advance.
The measure meets PF requests for greater autonomy while maintaining information compartmentalization to preserve secrecy.
