Minister André Mendonça, of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), was chosen this Thursday (12) as the new rapporteur of the investigation that deals with Banco Master’s fraud in the Court.
The choice of minister was made electronically after Dias Toffoli asked to leave the report on the case, after the Federal Police (PF) informed the President of the Court, Edson Fachin, that there are mentions of Toffoli in messages found on the cell phone of banker Daniel Vorcaro, owner of Master, whose device was seized during a search and seizure.
The mention is under judicial secrecy.
From now on, the next steps of the investigation will be led by Mendonçawho is also the rapporteur of the investigation that deals with undue discounts on association fees in the benefits of retirees and pensioners from the National Social Security Institute (INSS).
Earlier, Toffoli, who had been in charge of the Master case since November last year, asked to leave the rapporteurship after a meeting called by the President of the Court, Edson Fachin, to inform the other members of the Court of the PF report.
Departure from Toffoli
In an official note, the members of the Court demonstrated support for Toffoli and stated that there is no reason to suspect or impede the minister.
“[Os ministros] They express, in this act, personal support to the Hon. Min. Dias Toffoli, respecting the dignity of His Excellency, as well as the absence of suspicion or impediment. It should be noted that His Excellency responded to all requests made by the Federal Police and the Attorney General’s Office”, declared the Court.
The note highlights that the withdrawal from the process was at Toffoli’s request.
“They also note that at the request of Minister Dias Toffoli, taking into account his ability to submit questions to the Presidency of the Court for the smooth running of the processes (RISTF, art. 21, III) and considering the high institutional interests, the Presidency of the Federal Supreme Court, after hearing all the Ministers, welcomes communication from His Excellency regarding the sending of the respective actions under his Rapporteurship so that the Presidency promotes free redistribution”.
Meeting
During a meeting, which lasted around three hours, the ministers were made aware of the PF report that shows mentions of Toffoli on Vorcaro’s cell phone.
The ministers also heard Toffoli’s defense, who asked to continue reporting on the case. However, faced with public pressure to leave the case, the minister agreed to leave command of the process.
Since last month, Toffoli has been criticized for remaining as the case’s rapporteur after journalistic reports reported that the Federal Police found irregularities in an investment fund linked to Banco Master. The fund purchased a stake in the Tayayá resort, located in Paraná, which was owned by the minister’s family members.
Earlier, Toffoli released a statement to the press, confirming that he is one of the resort’s partners and said that he did not receive any amount from Daniel Vorcaro.
