STF judges report from PF on Moraes and Vorcaro

For the first time in the history of the Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF), the ministers of the Court meet to decide whether or not a colleague should be investigated. The session of Tuesday (15) analyzes a report of the Federal Police that pointed out 52 messages exchanged between the minister Alexandre de Moraes and the former owner of the Banco Master, Daniel Vorcaro. The trial, which could pave the way for a formal investigation against a member of the court itself, began with requests for impeachment and discussions on the rules of procedure.

The case gained unprecedented contours in the Brazilian judiciary. Moraes spoke out for the first time yesterday, called André Mendonça’s count against him illegal and said he never favored Vorcaro. The defense of the minister denies any irregularity in the relationship with the businessman, but the report of the PF supports the existence of dialogues that need to be clarified.

Question of order adjourned trial

Prior to the reading of the report, Minister Gilmar Mendes submitted a point of order and requested the discussion of a document sent by Flávio Dino before starting the trial of Moraes’ case. The request generated a stalemate on the conduct of the work, highlighting the tension between the members of the Court.

Dino interrupted Toffoli's speech and asked for the floor. Fachin, who chairs the session, intervened and said that the request should be made to the presidency of the Court. The two discussed the regiment at a time of heated procedural debate. The source did not detail the contents of the document presented by Dino.

Ministers Declare themselves Impeded

Minister Kassio Nunes Marques left the session after declaring he was prevented from participating in the trial. According to the minister, the impediment occurs because of the presidency of the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) and the proximity to the elections. “Whatever the debates that will flow in this trial eventually may also impact the electoral political scenario,” he said.

Nunes Marques also made a point of clarifying his relationship with the case. “It is good that you record that regarding the case, I never exchanged any messages with Daniel Vorcaro, already clarifying some facts,” he said. He added: "Regarding messages circulating since yesterday, I have never judged any lawsuit related to the Master. My son never did any service to the bank and was never paid by the bank.”

The minister Dias Toffoli accompanied Nunes Marques and also declared himself prevented from participating in the trial on Tuesday. The reason presented by the minister is "intimate forum". Toffoli recalled that, previously, he left the report of the investigations on the Master case in STF. At the end of his speech, Toffoli reiterated that he will not participate in the trial, but that he will continue to participate in the session. “I have the right to follow this session, and also, if necessary, to take the floor, I will do so,” he said.

Fachin report and next steps

The rapporteur of the case, Minister Edson Fachin, is expected to present his vote on the opening of an investigation. In his demonstration, Fachin stressed that the object of the trial is strictly the authorization to investigate a minister. "It is not at this time any judgment or anticipation of the probative value, even because any judgment of this nature is reserved for the Public Prosecutor's Office. The object of this trial is precisely the authorization to open an investigation against the minister," he concluded.

The team of the president of STF warned that new revelations about the Master case will not prevent the trial on Tuesday, reports Valdo Cruz. The wing of Alexandre de Moraes does not rule out asking for a view — that is, more time for analysis — shortly after the reading of Fachin’s report. A request for a hearing would suspend the trial indefinitely.

The outcome of the session may set the course for the highest court in the country. The decision on whether to investigate one of its members is an institutional framework and should have an impact on the entire justice system. The Boca no Trombone portal tracks the developments and will bring new information as soon as it is released.

Read Also

Operation Livia: Police comply with warrants against six teenagers

Unpublished session: STF will decide whether to open an investigation against Moraes

Mendonça withdraws secrecy from the Vorcaro process in STF

Font

g1.globo.com

is open on Globoplay. (globoplay.globo.com)