The British magazine The Economist published an article stating that the Supreme Federal Court (STF) is involved in a 'huge scandal' due to suspicions of ties between ministers and banker Daniel Vorcaro, owner of Banco Master. The piece highlights close relations of judges like Dias Toffoli and Alexandre de Moraes with the business elite. The publication comes amid investigations and debates on creating an ethics code for the court.
The magazine The Economist described the STF as embroiled in a 'huge scandal', pointing to accumulated questions in recent months about ministers' conduct and banker Daniel Vorcaro, owner of Banco Master, liquidated by the Central Bank last year. The text states that 'some of the world's most powerful judges maintain an excessively close relationship with the business and political elite'. Ministers such as Dias Toffoli and Alexandre de Moraes are highlighted. For Toffoli, who reported the case until recently and stepped aside under pressure, the publication cites Vorcaro's investments in a family resort, per a Federal Police report; Toffoli denies irregularities.
Regarding Moraes, the article mentions a law firm contract of his wife, Viviane Barci de Moraes, with Banco Master, worth R$ 3.6 million per month for three years. Moraes ordered an investigation into a tax data leak after the case surfaced. Additionally, the magazine criticizes common interactions between companies and the court, citing Minister Gilmar Mendes, who annually organizes the Lisbon Legal Forum with politicians, judges, and businessmen, some with cases at the STF. Nepotism is also noted, with relatives of ministers acting as lawyers in higher courts.
STF President Edson Fachin advocates for an ethics code for ministers, while Toffoli and Moraes deem it unnecessary. The publication notes that right-wing candidates may expand their Senate presence in elections, using the issue to push impeachments. Meanwhile, entities like Transparência Brasil are organizing an act at USP on March 2 for a code of conduct, claiming judicial practices breed social distrust. The Federal Police continues investigating, with material from 52 cell phones of Vorcaro and directors under analysis, as Congress debates a CPI, though columnists warn of risks to the probes.
