Brazil's Top Prosecutor Faces Council Review Over Banker Links

Brazil's Superior Council of the Federal Public Ministry (CSMPF) convenes Friday at 10 a.m. to evaluate whether Prosecutor General Paulo Gonet should be investigated over his relationship with former Banco Master owner Daniel Vorcaro. The review stems from Federal Police messages extracted from Vorcaro's phone showing possible intermediation by lawyer Ciro Soares.

The council, composed of ten members including Gonet, will vote on designating a deputy prosecutor general to probe potential common crimes attributed to the PGR. Gonet will not participate in the session or vote, as he is the subject of the proceedings; Vice President Nicolao Dino will preside.

“The council must evaluate whether the material presents sufficient elements to justify opening an investigation into possible crimes by the PGR.”

Messages reveal Gonet and Vorcaro attended a Banco Master-sponsored legal event in London in April 2024. Nearly a year later, on March 15, 2025, Soares sent Vorcaro a photo with Gonet and arranged four voice calls between them lasting 17 to 57 seconds each.

The PGR's office confirmed the London event photo, stating Gonet publicly acknowledged attending. Gonet took office in December 2023. He recently created a task force led by Vice PGR Hindenburgo Chateaubriand to handle Master-related cases at the Supreme Court.

Valor Econômico reports the council is expected to archive the case, allowing Gonet to continue overseeing the Compliance Zero operation into Master fraud. The session begins with opening remarks by Dino, followed by rapporteur Francisco Sanseverino, then a vote by the nine participating councilors in reverse seniority order.