In a follow-up ruling, STF Minister Dias Toffoli rejected the Central Bank's embargos to remove Fiscalization Director Ailton Aquino Santos from the December 30 confrontation hearing in the Banco Master case, emphasizing his relevance despite BC not being investigated.
Following his December 25 decision upholding the hearing despite PGR objections, STF Minister Dias Toffoli on December 27 rejected embargos from the Central Bank (BC) seeking to exclude Fiscalization Director Ailton Aquino Santos from the videoconference confrontation set for December 30. The hearing pits Banco Master's owner Daniel Vorcaro—previously arrested and now on ankle monitor post-bank liquidation—and former BRB President Paulo Henrique Costa against Aquino to clarify irregularities in Master's attempted sale to BRB, including forged R$12.2 billion payroll portfolios.
Toffoli stressed the 'special relevance' of BC participation for fact-clarification, given the probe's impact on financial regulation: 'The object of the investigation concerns the actions of the national regulatory authority; their participation... is of special relevance.' He dismissed prematurity concerns previously raised by PGR, citing urgency due to financial sector repercussions.
Lawyers note confrontations before individual depositions are rare. The sealed hearing, under a assisting judge and police, continues amid Operation Compliance Zero scrutiny.
