Brazil Vorcaro Testimony Had No Federal Police, Folha Says

Brazil · JUSTICE

A Brazilian banker’s statement to a Supreme Court justice’s office was taken without Federal Police present, a newspaper reported. The justice says he only listened to the banker once.

Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court in Brasilia, lit at night. Daniel Vorcaro gave his statement to Justice Andre Mendonca’s office. (Photo: The Rio Times archive.)

Brazilian banker Daniel Vorcaro gave testimony without Federal Police present, Folha de S.Paulo reported. The statement was taken before an auxiliary judge in Justice André Mendonça’s chambers.

Testimony Details

Folha de S.Paulo reported on 2 September 2026 that Vorcaro’s statement was taken without the Federal Police. The statement itself was given on 27 August 2026, before an auxiliary judge in Mendonça’s office.

Vorcaro said Federal Police leaders were reluctant about his cooperation proposal. The newspaper attributed this to his own account in the statement.

Mendonça’s Office Response

Mendonça’s office said he received Vorcaro once, in March 2025, at Vorcaro’s initiative. He limited himself to hearing him, the office said.

For the later statement, the office said Federal Police were kept away to protect Vorcaro. He had reported serious intimidations, and court rules allow this for a deponent’s safety.

Secrecy Lifted

On 1 September 2026, Mendonça lifted secrecy on the case. He called the full court the inevitable path.

He asked the court’s president to schedule a public, in-person plenary session. The court later would hear the case in plenary.

A plenary session is a meeting of all 11 Supreme Court justices. This is different from a decision made by a single justice in chambers.

Prosecutor-General Involved

The material was sent to prosecutor-general Paulo Gonet for comment. No direct reaction from Gonet to the testimony is verified.

The prosecutor-general is Brazil’s top federal prosecutor. His role is to give a legal opinion on the case before the court decides.

What Is Banco Master

Banco Master is a Brazilian bank. Daniel Vorcaro is a former banker associated with it.

The case involves messages between Vorcaro and Justice Alexandre de Moraes. The Federal Police flagged these messages.

Justice Moraes is a member of the Supreme Court. The messages were found during a police investigation.

Background of the Case

The broader case involves reports and messages involving Moraes and Gonet. The Supreme Court is reviewing the material.

Mendonça sought plenary, public review rather than handling it only in chambers.

Vorcaro’s Cooperation Proposal

Vorcaro said the Federal Police were unwilling with his proposal of collaboration. This is according to his testimony.

The Federal Police have not given a direct quoted reaction to this point. Their resistance is mentioned in reports.

Timeline of Events

Mendonça met Vorcaro once in March 2025. Vorcaro’s formal statement, without Federal Police present, was given on 27 August 2026.

Secrecy was lifted on 1 September 2026, and the statement was reported on 2 September 2026. The plenary session has not yet been scheduled.

Legal Significance

The absence of Federal Police during a formal statement is unusual. Mendonça’s office says court rules justify it when a witness reports intimidation.

A representative of the Public Ministry was present, since that is required by law. The formal statement is separate from Mendonça’s single March 2025 meeting with Vorcaro.

What Comes Next

The full Supreme Court will analyze the Federal Police material. The prosecutor-general will comment.

The plenary session will be public and in-person. No date has been set yet.

Understanding the Supreme Court

Brazil’s Supreme Court is called the Supremo Tribunal Federal, or STF. It is the highest court in the country.

It has 11 justices, called ministers. They are appointed by the president and approved by the Senate.

The STF handles cases involving the constitution and high-ranking officials. This case falls under its jurisdiction.

A single justice can make urgent decisions, but the full court usually decides major issues. Mendonça wants the full court to review this case.

Role of the Federal Police

The Federal Police, or PF, is Brazil’s national police force. It investigates crimes against the federal government and public officials.

In this case, the PF produced reports and messages involving Moraes and Gonet. These were sent to the Supreme Court for review.

The PF also rejected Vorcaro‘s cooperation proposal, according to his testimony.

What Is a Plea Deal

A plea deal, or cooperation proposal, is a legal agreement. A suspect agrees to provide information in exchange for a reduced sentence.

Vorcaro offered a cooperation proposal to the PF. The PF was unwilling to accept it, according to his testimony.

Public Interest

The lifting of secrecy allows the public to see the evidence. This is a step toward transparency.

The plenary session will be open to the public. This ensures that the decision is made in the open.

Mendonça’s Meeting with Vorcaro

Justice André Mendonça’s office said he met Daniel Vorcaro once, in March 2025, at Vorcaro’s initiative, and only listened to him. This statement was reported by Poder360 on September 2, 2026.

For the later statement, the office cited court rules that protect a witness who reports intimidation. That is separate from the single 2025 meeting.

Vorcaro’s Testimony Without Federal Police

Folha de S.Paulo reported on September 2, 2026, that Vorcaro’s statements were taken without the Federal Police present. They were before an auxiliary judge in Mendonça’s cabinet.

The Federal Police had been reluctant about Vorcaro’s cooperation proposal, according to his own account.

The statement itself was given on 27 August 2026, ahead of the September 2 reports. Mendonça’s office cited court rules meant to protect a witness who reports intimidation.

Mendonça’s Request for Plenary Session

On September 1, 2026, Mendonça asked STF President Edson Fachin to schedule a public, in-person plenary session.

It would analyze Federal Police material on Vorcaro and Alexandre de Moraes. He called the plenary ‘the inevitable path’, as quoted by Folha de S.Paulo.

The court would later hear the case in plenary, but the report does not say Vorcaro testified that day.

Prosecutor-General’s Role

After Mendonça lifted secrecy, the prosecutor-general, Paulo Gonet, was sent the Federal Police material for comment. The retrieved sources do not include a direct reaction from Gonet to the testimony itself.

The material is part of a broader case involving Banco Master and messages with Moraes and Gonet.

Timeline of Events

Key dates: March 2025 for the single meeting. August 27, 2026, for the formal statement without Federal Police present.

September 1, 2026, for lifting secrecy and seeking plenary review. September 2, 2026, for news reports on the statement and Mendonça’s office comment.

Mendonça’s office said court rules protect a witness after a report of serious intimidation. It said this justified keeping Federal Police away from the August 27 statement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the Federal Police absent from Vorcaro’s testimony?

Mendonça’s office said court rules protect a witness who reports intimidation. Vorcaro had reported serious intimidations before the statement.

What did Mendonça say about his meeting with Vorcaro?

He said he met Vorcaro once, in March 2025, and only listened. He did not take testimony.

What is the role of prosecutor-general Paulo Gonet?

He was sent the material for comment. He has not yet reacted publicly.

What happens next in the case?

The full Supreme Court will analyze the material in a public session. The date is not set.

Sources: Folha de S.Paulo; Poder360.