STF Ministers Gain Access to Banker's Phone Data Ahead of Vote on Alexandre de Moraes Investigation

The Federal Police delivered full copies of data extracted from the cell phone of former banker Daniel Vorcaro to Supreme Federal Court (STF) ministers Cristiano Zanin, Gilmar Mendes, and Alexandre de Moraes on Monday. The delivery follows requests from the ministers after the case rapporteur, Minister André Mendonça, refused to share the full material. Mendonça argued that providing the complete content would serve only to tumult the upcoming session and could jeopardize the success of ongoing investigations. In contrast, Minister Zanin stated that no hierarchy exists between STF members and that access to the evidence is essential for the ministers to form their convictions.

The access to this data is a critical precursor to a plenary session scheduled for Tuesday, September 15. During this session, the STF will decide whether to open a formal investigation into Minister Alexandre de Moraes based on a Federal Police report detailing messages exchanged between him and Vorcaro. The allegations include claims that Moraes received requests to intervene with the Attorney General and the Director General of the Federal Police to hinder fraud investigations, edited a 131 million reais contract involving his family's law firm, and discussed plans for Vorcaro to flee the country. The Federal Police noted that the delivered copies are identical to the original extraction, which remains under formal chain of custody.

Outlets with a center lean focus on the procedural tension and the legal arguments regarding the equality of ministers within the court. Outlets with a center right lean emphasize the severity of the allegations against Moraes and frame the internal conflict as a war between ministers that tests the credibility and accountability of the court.