Toffoli Keeps Secret Banco Master Hearing After Rejecting Prosecutor’s Request

Overview

• Supreme Court minister Dias Toffoli refused a formal request from Prosecutor General Paulo Gonet to suspend a confrontation hearing and left it set for December 30 during the judicial recess.
• The closed-door session will face Daniel Vorcaro, ex-BRB president Paulo Henrique Costa, and Central Bank supervision director Ailton de Aquino, focusing on regulatory actions surrounding Banco Master’s liquidation.
• Members of the Prosecutor’s Office and Central Bank labeled the measure atypical and premature, with specialists warning it could intimidate technical staff, though some jurists say the step has legal footing.
• Reporting says the law firm of Alexandre de Moraes’ wife had a R$129 million contract with Banco Master and that he contacted Central Bank president Gabriel Galípolo about the bank’s sale to BRB; Moraes denies exerting pressure and says meetings addressed U.S. sanctions.
• Political pushback escalated as Senator Magno Malta sought to suspend the congressional recess, figures like João Amoêdo urged impeachment of Toffoli, and transparency advocates and foreign outlets amplified calls for a binding ethics code, with retired justice Celso de Mello endorsing the proposal.