Paulo Henrique Costa is the target of Operation Compliance Zero; investigation points to an asset concealment scheme worth R$ 146.5 million
The former president of BRB (Banco Regional de Brasília), was transferred to the Papuda Penitentiary Complex, in the Federal District, late on Thursday afternoon (April 16, 2026).
The move followed the preventive arrest of the Federal Police, which is investigating a possible corruption and money laundering scheme involving the bank’s leadership and the private sector.
Before the transfer, Costa went to the Federal Police Superintendence for forensic examinations.
See Costa’s photo at the Papuda Penitentiary Complex:
In addition to Paulo Henrique Costa, businessman Daniel Monteiro, identified as the operator of the scheme, was also arrested on Thursday (16 April).
The court orders were authorized by the minister of the STF (Supreme Federal Court) André Mendonça, rapporteur of the case at the Court. The defense of those mentioned has not yet publicly commented on the content of the accusations. Read the decision (PDF – 900 KB).
UNDERSTAND THE OPERATION
The Federal Police are investigating the creation of a network of real estate companies used to hide assets and launder money. According to the investigation, Paulo Henrique Costa had relaxed BRB’s governance rules to facilitate unsecured business with Banco Master, owned by businessman Daniel Vorcaro.
According to investigators, Costa would have received financial compensation to favor Vorcaro’s interests in the state bank, operating a scheme to hide assets that would involve hiding them through shell companies.
OTHER SIDE
In an interview with journalists in front of the Paulo Henrique Costathe executive’s lawyer, Cleber Lopes, stated that the arrest was “absolutely unnecessary” and which will analyze the process to appeal the decision. He followed the PF searches at Costa’s house.
“At the moment, the defense considers that Paulo Henrique does not represent any danger to the instruction and application of criminal law. He has been free since the first phase of the operation. There is no news that he has committed any act that could undermine criminal investigation, public order or the application of criminal law; so that the defense considers, at first, the arrest to be absolutely unnecessary”, he declared. “The defense will examine this material today. There is no position for now until we can better understand the reasons for the arrest”, he added.
The defense of Daniel Monteiro reported, in a note, that he was surprised by the decision to arrest him. “He emphasizes that his work has always been strictly technical, as a lawyer for Banco Master and several other clients, without any participation in activities outside his professional practice. Daniel is at the disposal of Justice and trusts that the facts will be fully clarified”, said the note.
The Power also sought the advice of Daniel Vorcaro to ask if she would like to speak out about the . There was no response until the publication of this report. The space remains open and the text will be updated if a response is sent to this digital newspaper.
