Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin has ordered the Federal Police to deliver a copy of the cell phone data belonging to Daniel Vorcaro by 11 PM on Sunday, September 13. Vorcaro is currently in preventive detention for fraud related to Banco Master. The Federal Police used this device to compile a report detailing conversations between the former banker and Justice Alexandre de Moraes. On Tuesday, September 15, the Supreme Court will decide whether to open an investigation into Moraes.
Zanin ruled that the raw cell phone data should be made available to the full court before the presidency, stating that evidence belongs to the plenary and its members, “not to a specific member of the Supreme Court.” He emphasized the need for this evidence ahead of Tuesday’s hearing, noting that his office has not yet had access to it despite numerous requests “through official channels and other means.”
No Hierarchy Among Justices, Zanin Says
In ordering the release of the information, Zanin argued that there is no hierarchy among Supreme Court justices. He also pointed out that the data has already been shared with Vorcaro’s lawyers and with the National Congress to inform the CPMI (Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry), as directed by Justice André Mendonça. Zanin countered Mendonça’s argument, noting that the Federal Police have confirmed they can provide copies of the data to all Supreme Court offices without compromising the chain of custody—the formal procedures used to document and track evidence.
Earlier, Mendonça wrote in a ruling that access to Vorcaro’s raw data would disrupt the trial and jeopardize the investigation.
Escalating Tensions at Brazil’s Top Court
Tensions at the Supreme Court have been rising since a Federal Police report, commissioned by Justice Mendonça, revealed that Justice Moraes exchanged messages and allegedly met with Vorcaro, who is in preventive detention for fraud at Banco Master.
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Based on the Federal Police findings, Mendonça asked Supreme Court President Edson Fachin to open an investigation into his colleague. In response, Prosecutor General Paulo Gonet declared the inquiry invalid, stating that the plenary was not consulted as required by law. Moraes then requested an investigation into Mendonça, citing “strong indications of administrative misconduct, abuse of authority, and official misconduct” that compromised judicial impartiality and favored specific political groups. This request was made within the controversial fake news inquiry.
Days later, Mendonça removed the Director-General of the Federal Police, Andrei Rodrigues, only for Justice Flávio Dino to reinstate him the following day.
Fachin Takes Steps to Defuse Crisis
Under pressure from colleagues, the Presidential Palace, and a series of conflicting injunctions among justices, Supreme Court President Fachin has implemented measures to contain the crisis. These include removing Moraes from the fake news inquiry, which will now be managed by the presidency, and suspending the injunctions issued by Justices Mendonça and Dino. Mendonça had removed the Director-General of the Federal Police, while Dino had reinstated him.
Fachin has scheduled the trial for September 15 to decide on the request to investigate Moraes for his communications and alleged meetings with Vorcaro. The trial for the request to investigate Mendonça will take place on September 23.
