The minister Alexandre de Moraesdo STF (Supreme Federal Court)said, through an official note, issued on Tuesday night (23), that he had not called the president of the Banco Central, Gabriel Galípoloto press for the acquisition of Banco Master for the BRBthe Bank of Brasília.
According to the judge, the first meeting with the president of the Central Bank, Gabriel Galípolo, took place on August 14, after being sanctioned by the United States government with the application of the Magnitsky law, on July 30. The second happened on September 30th, after the measure was applied against his wife, on September 22nd.
Moraes also states that his wife’s law firm, Viviane Barci de Moraes, never participated in the acquisition of Banco Master by BRB before the BC.
“In none of the meetings was any subject discussed or any pressure applied regarding the acquisition of BRB by Banco Master. He also clarifies that he was never at the Central Bank and that there was no telephone call between them, for this or any other matter. Finally, he clarifies that his wife’s law firm never acted in the BRB-Master acquisition operation before the Central Bank”, he cited.
Earlier, declaring that individual meetings were also held with the legal president of Banco Itaú and the president of Banco do Brasil, in addition to a collective meeting with the presidents of the National Confederation of Financial Institutions, Frebraban (Brazilian Federation of Banks), BTG and the vice-presidents of Santander and Itaú to discuss the topic.
This happens after the newspaper O Globo reported that Moraes had sought out Galípolo to intercede for Banco Master with the Central Bank on at least four occasions. The information was confirmed by CNN Brazil.
In September, the Central Bank vetoed the purchase of Banco Master by BRB, citing the lack of documents that proved the “economic-financial viability”. Two months later, Master’s owner, Daniel Vorcaro, was arrested by the Federal Police and is being investigated for fraud against the financial system.
Moraes’ wife’s law firm had a contract worth R$129 million with Banco Master, providing for monthly payments of R$3.6 million between 2024 and 2027.
On Monday (22), the opposition stated that it would present a request for impeachment against the minister and would organize a CPI (Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry) to investigate Moraes’ relations with the bank.
*Published by Douglas Porto
