In the latest development of the Banco Master scandal—where the Central Bank liquidated the institution amid fraud allegations and a TCU probe—Senator Renan Calheiros accused Chamber President Hugo Motta and former President Arthur Lira of pressuring TCU members to reverse the decision. Lira denied the claims as 'fake news,' amid ongoing court scrutiny of the bank's supervision.
Senator Renan Calheiros (MDB-AL) stated to Metrópoles on January 19 that he received information about Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB), current Chamber President, and Arthur Lira (PP-AL), his predecessor, influencing Tribunal de Contas da União (TCU) members in the Banco Master case. This follows the Central Bank's November extrajudicial liquidation of the bank, controlled by Daniel Vorcaro, due to liquidity crisis, economic issues, and regulatory violations—events detailed in prior coverage including arrests, BRB fund injections, political ties, and massive fraud risks.
The case escalated to TCU after concerns over Central Bank supervision, with rapporteur Minister Jhonatan de Jesus (a former Republicanos deputy appointed with Motta and Lira's support) suggesting re-evaluation in a dispatch: “It cannot be ruled out that, at an opportune moment, a precautionary measure... may be considered.” Renan, a Lira rival, claims the pressure targeted reversing the liquidation in Jhonatan's process and related cases.
Lira dismissed the accusations to Metrópoles as 'fake news' from Renan, who 'attacks adversaries without proof.' Motta's office did not respond. In response, Renan, as Senate Economic Affairs Committee (CAE) president, formed a working group last week to monitor Banco Master investigations, with powers to summon witnesses, request data, and propose legislation for oversight.
