Fachin Returns INSS Probe to Mendonça and Keeps Master Files Under Presidency

Overview

• On Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, STF President Edson Fachin returned the Operação Sem Desconto INSS investigation to Minister André Mendonça after finding no current grounds to keep it at the Presidency.
• Fachin kept the Operação Compliance Zero procedures tied to Banco Master under his temporary custody for up to 90 days and ordered the Federal Police to deliver a detailed report on references to Supreme Court ministers.
• The files were moved to the Presidency in September during a conflict over messages involving banker Daniel Vorcaro and Minister Alexandre de Moraes, and Mendonça had formally asked for a decision after the transfer blocked him from taking routine case steps.
• Public Police Federal material made available by Mendonça shows Vorcaro sent messages seeking legal guidance and asking Moraes to intercede with the PGR and PF leadership, an exchange that raised questions about possible involvement of Court members.
• Fachin will submit the matter to the STF plenary, where he may propose splitting the investigations to separate facts that mention ministers from those that should stay with the original relator, and the PF report will be used to guide that choice.