STF Justice Luiz Fux defended Rio de Janeiro from generalized criticisms by colleagues during a hearing on state elections, citing the Banco Master scandal involving other court members. He stated that good Rio politicians, if they go to hell, will be accompanied by high authorities. The exchange took place in a session on the interim command of Palácio Guanabara.
STF Justice Luiz Fux responded to remarks by Gilmar Mendes, Alexandre de Moraes, and Flávio Dino on Rio de Janeiro's institutional degradation. During the hearing on elections for the interim governorship of Palácio Guanabara, Fux described the criticisms as a 'manifestation of profound discredit' generalized against the state.
Fux pointed to national scandals judged by the STF, such as Mensalão, Lava Jato, INSS, and Banco Master, arguing corruption is not concentrated in Rio. 'There are good politicians in Rio de Janeiro state, representing it in the Federal Chamber. They are excellent politicians. So if these politicians have to go to hell, they will be accompanied by high authorities,' he said.
The Banco Master case involves R$80 million payments from 2024 to 2025 to the office of Moraes' wife, Viviane Barci de Moraes, and involvement of Dias Toffoli's family companies in fraudulent funds, leading to a justice leaving the rapporteurship in February. Gilmar Mendes flew on a plane from Prime Aviation, owned by Daniel Vorcaro, a bank partner.
Gilmar cited PF Director Andrei Rodrigues' information on 32 or 34 Alerj deputies receiving jogo do bicho stipends. Flávio Dino listed probed or jailed ex-governors like Sérgio Cabral, Luiz Fernando Pezão, and Cláudio Castro, convicted by TSE 5-2. Moraes referenced the conviction of Domingos and Chiquinho Brazão in the Marielle Franco case.
