Brazil’s top court postpones ruling on probe of justice in politically charged case
BRASILIA — Brazil’s Supreme Court on Tuesday postponed a decision on whether to investigate one of its own justices in connection with a politically explosive bank corruption case, possibly deferring the issue until after an October presidential election.
The justices held a hearing to consider opening a probe into Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who rose to national prominence by leading investigations that resulted in the convictions of former President Jair Bolsonaro and several allies last year for plotting a coup to reverse 2022 election results.
The Supreme Court session was halted for up to 90 days on Tuesday evening after Justice Flavio Dino formally asked for more time to review the probe request.
The issue has become a flashpoint in the presidential election in which right-wing candidate Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the former president’s son, is in a tight race against leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Lula’s opponents have tied him to Mr. Moraes in campaign rhetoric.
The call for an investigation of Mr. Moraes is an outgrowth of a case involving failed lender Banco Master that has rattled Brazil for months.
Leaks revealed that Daniel Vorcaro, the bank’s imprisoned owner, had a vast web of influence and embarrassed some of the nation’s top power brokers, including Senator Bolsonaro himself.
Supreme Court Justice Andre Mendonca released a federal police report two weeks ago alleging that Mr. Vorcaro sent several text messages to Mr. Moraes including references to a possible escape plan.
Mr. Moraes has accused Mr. Mendonca, who was appointed by Mr. Bolsonaro, of abusing his authority in handling the case, which Mr. Mendonca has denied.
According to court records, a law firm owned by Mr. Moraes’ wife had a $24 million consulting contract with Banco Master, which was liquidated by the central bank in November 2025.
Before Tuesday’s hearing, Mr. Moraes said the records were illegally gathered and did not show any wrongdoing. He argued the calls for him to be investigated were politically and electorally motivated as revenge for his role in convicting former President Bolsonaro.
Chief Justice Edson Fachin, in an attempt to contain the crisis engulfing the court, last week ordered the unsealing of proceedings related to the Banco Master case, only for Brazilians to learn that Senator Bolsonaro, the right-wing presidential hopeful, was also being investigated over alleged money laundering and corruption linked to the bank.
The younger Mr. Bolsonaro denied any wrongdoing and said that all dealings he had with Mr. Vorcaro were private and related to Mr. Vorcaro’s role in financing a film about his father. — Reuters