Brazilian Supreme Court (STF) Minister Alexandre de Moraes is facing a renewed political storm. Senator Alessandro Vieira (MDB-SE), alongside 19 other senators, has formally filed a new impeachment petition against the powerful justice.
This marks the second time Vieira has targeted Moraes, following a previous attempt in 2019. This time, however, the accusation relies on highly technical allegations of conflict of interest and financial ties.
The Multi-Million Real Estate and Bank Connections
At the center of the petition is the professional relationship between the law firm of Moraes’s wife, Viviane Barci de Moraes, and Daniel Bueno Vorcaro, the controller of Banco Master.
The petition highlights two major contracts:
- January 2024: A contract promising net monthly payments of R$ 3 million for 36 months, totaling more than R$ 131 million gross.
- May 2025: A second contract capping at R$ 50 million, expanding the law firm's scope to include criminal investigations involving the bank's controllers.
Furthermore, metadata reveals that Minister Moraes himself accessed and edited drafts of the first contract before it was officially signed. While the law firm defended this action, stating Moraes was simply reviewing the documents to avoid potential conflicts of interest, the petitioning senators view it as evidence of direct involvement.
Planes, Phones, and Potential Bias
The senators' accusations go beyond contract drafts. The document lists several other suspicious ties:
- Aircraft Usage: The petition details transactions involving planes that were allegedly used by Moraes and his family members.
- Phone Records: A contact saved as "Alexandre de Moraes BRASILIA" was found on Vorcaro’s seized phone, though the senators note the exact identity and nature of these communications still require formal investigation.
Ultimately, the senators argue that Moraes should have declared himself conflicted or biased in subsequent cases involving individuals or entities connected to Banco Master.
What's Next for the Petition?
For the impeachment to proceed, it must first be accepted by Senate President Davi Alcolumbre—a prospect Senator Vieira admits is a steep political hill to climb.
"Even knowing the enormous political difficulty imposed by President Davi Alcolumbre, I believe it is necessary to persist, presenting a sober and technical impeachment request," Vieira stated, framing the move as a defense of "equal justice for all."
If the Senate decides to move forward, it could launch formal investigations, request documents, and call witnesses. A conviction for a crime of responsibility would result in Moraes losing his seat on the Supreme Court and being barred from holding public office.
