Toffoli Keeps Secret Recess Hearing in Banco Master Case as Pushback Grows

Overview

• STF minister Dias Toffoli maintained a confidential acareação for Dec. 30 between Banco Master owner Daniel Vorcaro, ex‑BRB president Paulo Henrique Costa, and Central Bank supervision director Ailton de Aquino after rejecting the PGR’s request to suspend it.
• The step was ordered de oficio without a prior request from the Federal Police or prosecutors, with critics saying it comes too early in the inquiry and risks intimidating Central Bank technicians.
• Separately, TCU minister Jhonatan de Jesus demanded the Central Bank detail the rationale and timing of Master’s extrajudicial liquidation, with a response due Monday, even as the BC says its actions are fully documented.
• Reporting that Viviane Barci de Moraes’s firm had a contract worth R$3.6 million per month with Master heightened conflict‑of‑interest concerns; Alexandre de Moraes denies pressuring BC chief Gabriel Galípolo, saying their meetings addressed Magnitsky Act issues.
• Opposition lawmakers moved to suspend the congressional recess, seek a CPI and pursue impeachment actions tied to the case, while Transparency International flagged critical coverage in Swiss and German outlets about the Supreme Court’s ethics.