Federal Police Target Deputy Cezinha de Madureira in Influence Peddling Investigation
5 sources · Brazil
Who reported this
- G1
- UOL
- Folha de S.Paulo
- Estadao
- Gazeta do Povo
What the colours mean
- Left
- Centre-left
- Centre
- Centre-right
- Right
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The Brazilian Federal Police launched the third phase of Operation Transparência on Monday, September 14, targeting Federal Deputy Cezinha de Madureira (PL-SP). The operation involves four search and seizure warrants in São Paulo and the Federal District to investigate allegations of influence peddling, prestige exploitation, passive corruption, and money laundering. According to the Federal Police, members of a group allegedly negotiated significant payments from third parties in exchange for influencing the outcomes of lawsuits pending in superior courts.
The operation is a development of an investigation started in December 2025 regarding irregularities in the allocation of parliamentary amendments. Valéria Rodrigues Linhares, the wife of the deputy, is also a target of the operation. Reports indicate that in August, police seized 510,000 reais in cash from her hand luggage at Congonhas Airport.
Central to the investigation is the deputy's relationship with Supreme Court Minister André Mendonça. Sources state that Madureira arranged a meeting between Mendonça and former banker Daniel Vorcaro, owner of the liquidated Banco Master. Minister Mendonça confirmed the meeting took place in March 2025, stating it concerned specific legal credits and that he ultimately voted against the banker's interests. The operation was authorized by Supreme Court Minister Flávio Dino.
While the Federal Police stated there is no evidence indicating the participation of members of the judiciary in the crimes, some reports highlight the political tension within the Supreme Court. It is noted that Minister Dino and Minister Mendonça belong to opposing factions within the court, particularly regarding the ongoing crisis involving Minister Alexandre de Moraes.
How each side framed it
- Centre-left
- These outlets presented the news as a straightforward law enforcement action against a politician.
- Centre
- This outlet emphasized the potential for the operation to escalate existing tensions and crises within the Supreme Court.
- Centre-right
- These outlets provided extensive biographical detail on the deputy and highlighted the ideological divide between the ministers involved in the authorization and the investigation.
Sources
- Centre-right Estadao: Who is Cezinha de Madureira, target in operation on influence peddling in superior courts
- Centre-right Estadao: Cezinha de Madureira is target of PF in operation on influence peddling in superior courts
- Centre Folha de S.Paulo: PF carries out operation against Cezinha de Madureira, ally of minister André Mendonça
- Centre-left G1: Daily summary #2145: deputy Cezinha de Madureira is target of PF operation; TV Globo and affiliates begin interviews with governor candidates; The best and worst shows of Rock in Rio 2026 and more
- Centre-right Gazeta do Povo: PF targets Cezinha de Madureira for suspicion of influence peddling in superior courts
- Centre-left UOL: Cezinha de Madureira is target in PF action on influence peddling in superior courts
100% of the statements in this article were traced back to the source articles listed above.