STF Justices Clash Over Access to Banker Daniel Vorcaro's Cell Phone Data

A conflict has emerged among Brazilian Supreme Court (STF) justices regarding the release of data from the cell phone of former banker Daniel Vorcaro. Justice André Mendonça, the rapporteur of the case, argued that lifting the secrecy of the device's full content could compromise ongoing investigations into Banco Master and violate the state's duty to investigate. In response, Justice Cristiano Zanin and Justice Alexandre de Moraes requested access to the raw data before a scheduled hearing on Tuesday, October 15. Zanin argued that all judges must have the same opportunity to analyze the evidence to form their convictions, specifically regarding a Federal Police report that identifies Moraes as an interlocutor for Vorcaro.

Mendonça stated that while his office holds a backup copy of the data, it remains sealed and untouched. He maintained that the original material is under the custody of the Federal Police. Justice Edson Fachin, the president of the STF, intervened by ordering Mendonça to lift the secrecy of all documents related to the Master case within 24 hours. This order followed requests from the Prosecutor General's Office (PGR), Zanin, and Moraes.

Following the order to lift secrecy, a Federal Police report revealed that Vorcaro coordinated a discrete flight for Senator Jaques Wagner and other passengers using one of his own aircraft. Meanwhile, Vorcaro's defense has petitioned Justice Mendonça for a preliminary filter of the documents. The defense argues that the material contains intimate messages and privileged communications with lawyers that do not serve the investigation and could be used for invasive or vexatious purposes.

Reports on the internal court dynamics vary by political lean. Center outlets focus on the procedural disagreement between justices and the specific findings of the Federal Police. Center right outlets emphasize the contrast in Justice Zanin's current request for separate hardware compared to his previous stances on data volume, while also highlighting the defense's concerns regarding privacy and the potential for selective leaks.