🕸️ Six Degrees of Banco Master

The federal investigation into Banco Master, a mid-sized lender that was liquidated by the Central Bank in November last year, has reportedly uncovered evidence implicating federal elected officials. People familiar with the probe say material found on the cellphone of Daniel Vorcaro, Master’s CEO, links his dealings to political party leaders and high-ranking authorities. (Get up to speed on the Banco Master case, with our explainer.)

Such findings were to be expected, given Vorcaro’s sprawling political connections (see more below). 

Under Brazilian law, sitting federal lawmakers and other officials with special jurisdiction can only be tried by the Supreme Court. This would keep the investigation (or at least parts of it) under the responsibility of its current rapporteur, Supreme Court Justice Dias Toffoli — whose handling of the case has drawn massive criticism and suspicions of a conflict of interest, due to his own connections to people under investigation…

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