Toffoli Flew With Banco Master Lawyer Days Before He Took Control of Sealed Probe

Overview

• Minister Dias Toffoli traveled to Lima on a jet owned by businessman Luiz Oswaldo Pastore with attorney Augusto Arruda Botelho and others to watch the Libertadores final, a trip confirmed by multiple outlets.
• On December 3, Toffoli moved the Banco Master investigation to the STF under his supervision, imposed maximum secrecy, and required prior authorization by the Court for any new investigative measures, citing risks of leaks and potential involvement of authorities with privileged forum.
• That same day, Botelho filed on behalf of Master compliance director Luiz Antonio Bull, and Toffoli granted access to Federal Police evidence deemed relevant to the defense.
• The probe targets Banco Master’s owner Daniel Vorcaro over suspected large-scale financial fraud estimated at about R$10 billion; he was previously arrested and later released with an ankle monitor, and the case now runs under seal.
• Transparency International – Brazil called the episode “extremely grave,” saying such practices erode judicial credibility; there has been no public recusal or change to Toffoli’s rulings reported.