Federal Police Investigate Deputy Cezinha de Madureira Amid Banco Master Scandal

The Federal Police have launched the third phase of Operation Transparência to investigate Deputy Cezinha de Madureira (PL-SP) and his wife, lawyer Valéria Rodrigues Linhares. The operation aims to investigate suspected influence peddling with superior courts and irregularities in the allocation of parliamentary amendments. According to reports, the investigation focuses on the deputy's role as a strategic intermediary, specifically his connection between STF Minister André Mendonça and Daniel Vorcaro, the controller of Banco Master. Evidence indicates that in March 2025, Cezinha facilitated a meeting between Mendonça and Vorcaro at the minister's institute. This connection is significant as Banco Master has been linked to one of the largest financial frauds in Brazilian history.

Parallel to the criminal investigation, the case has entered the political arena. Presidential candidate Augusto Cury (Avante) has used the Vorcaro agenda to criticize political figures, urging voters to reject candidates linked to the banker. Cury described the Banco Master case as criminal and claimed to be a victim of the system, stating that he and thousands of others invested in Fictor, which later acquired Banco Master. While Cury has called for the investigations to reach their full consequences and proposed ending the life tenure of STF ministers, he has explicitly declared his support for Minister André Mendonça.

Deputy Cezinha de Madureira is described as a pragmatic figure within the evangelical caucus who has maintained influence across different administrations. He was a key articulator for Mendonça's appointment to the STF in 2021 and was closely allied with Jair Bolsonaro. However, following the transition to the Lula administration, he moderated his rhetoric to maintain dialogue with the current government.