Brazil: Vorcaro Tells the Court His Donations Were Bribes
Brazil · JUSTICE
Key Facts
- —What happened Ex-banker Daniel Vorcaro said his 2022 donations were bribes.
- —Who he named He named Gilberto Kassab as the negotiator of the alleged bribes.
- —The catch These are allegations in testimony, not proven findings.
- —Denial Kassab denies negotiating bribes or illicit benefits with Vorcaro.
- —Other claims Vorcaro also alleged credit cards for a justice’s children.
- —What comes next The Supreme Court will decide how to handle the testimony.
Daniel Vorcaro told Brazil’s Supreme Court that his 2022 campaign donations were bribes. One of the men he named denies it.
Brazilian ex-banker Daniel Vorcaro told the Supreme Court that his 2022 campaign donations were bribes. He named Gilberto Kassab as the negotiator, and Kassab denies it.
Vorcaro’s Testimony
On September 3, 2026, Jornal de Brasília reported on ex-banker Daniel Vorcaro’s plea-bargain proposal. He said his 2022 campaign donations were bribes.
In total, R$5 million (US$980,400) went to Jair Bolsonaro and Tarcísio de Freitas in 2022. Of that, R$3 million (US$588,200) went to Bolsonaro’s campaign and R$2 million (US$392,200) to Tarcísio’s.
Vorcaro said the payments were bribes to keep the Credcesta payroll-loan program running in the São Paulo government. Credcesta is a company that provides payroll loans to public employees.
The Alleged Negotiations
According to the same report, the banker said the negotiations on the other side were conducted by Gilberto Kassab. Kassab is the president of the PSD party and a former secretary in Tarcísio’s administration.
Brasil de Fato and CNN Brasil also reported that Vorcaro’s plea-bargain proposal described the donations as bribe counterparts.
That arrangement was also negotiated with Kassab.
Who Made the Donations
Brasil de Fato reported that the donations were not made directly by the banker. His brother-in-law, Fabiano Zettel, made them.
Zettel donated R$3 million (US$588,200) to Bolsonaro and R$2 million (US$392,200) to Tarcísio during the 2022 campaign.
Kassab’s Denial
Gilberto Kassab called Vorcaro’s account “an absolutely fanciful story” and denied it emphatically, several outlets reported. He denied any dealings involving Credcesta or receiving payments.
The denial is part of the broader media coverage of the banker’s allegations. It is important to note that these are allegations, not proven facts.
Credit Cards for Moraes’s Children
On 1 September 2026, Pleno.News reported messages involving the banker.
Banco Master authorised credit cards with a limit of R$300,000 (about US$58,800) for each of two children of Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
Terra and iG also reported similar claims. Estadão said messages indicate Vorcaro authorized the cards via WhatsApp.
More Details on the Cards
Estadão reported that Banco Master issued the cards in October 2025 for Giuliana and Alexandre Barci de Moraes, the justice’s children. Moraes’s wife runs a law firm that represented the bank.
The reports say the cards were part of favors and treats for the justice’s family. They also mention luxury receptions and private aircraft use.
Mendonça’s Tailor Receipts
On 3 September 2026, Estado de Minas reported that Justice Andre Mendonca presented tailor receipts totalling R$26,430 (about US$5,180).
They followed suspicions that a lobbyist linked to Banco Master had paid for his suit.
The lobbyist is identified as Ciro Soares. The receipts were issued in his wife’s name, Jornal de Brasília reported.
Mendonça’s Denial
On September 2, O Globo reported that Mendonça denied receiving a suit from Vorcaro. He said he did not receive suits from Vorcaro or anyone else.
Poder360 also reported that Mendonça said he met Vorcaro only once and did not receive gifts. He said he voted against Vorcaro’s interests in the relevant case.
Context of the Allegations
These are allegations made in testimony and are not findings of a court. Vorcaro’s statements are part of a plea bargain proposal and depositions.
The Supreme Court will decide how to treat these allegations. The named individuals have denied them.
What’s Next
The Supreme Court will review the testimony and evidence. It is not clear when a decision will be made.
The allegations have sparked political and legal debate in Brazil. The case is ongoing.
Vorcaro’s Proposed Plea Deal
Daniel Vorcaro offered a plea bargain to authorities, according to reports from September 3, 2026. In it, he described the 2022 donations as bribes, as reported by Brasil de Fato and CNN Brasil.
A plea bargain is an agreement where a suspect provides information in exchange for a reduced sentence. Federal Police and prosecutors have rejected Vorcaro’s plea proposals so far, saying they added no new evidence.
Banco Master’s Role
Banco Master is a Brazilian bank that Vorcaro owned, according to reports. The bank issued credit cards with high limits for Moraes’s children, as reported by multiple outlets.
The bank’s actions are under scrutiny in the investigation. The credit cards were issued in October 2025, according to Estadão.
The Investigation’s Broader Context
The investigation involves allegations of corruption and influence peddling. Federal police gathered evidence of favors and treats, including luxury receptions and private aircraft use, as reported by iG.
The probe also looks into attempts to halt investigations and arrests. Vorcaro allegedly asked Moraes to interfere, according to Terra’s report.
Moraes’s Children’s Cards Details
The credit cards were issued for Giuliana and Alexandre Barci de Moraes, according to Estadão. Both are children of Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
Each card had a limit of R$300,000 (US$58,800). The authorization came directly from Vorcaro via WhatsApp messages, as reported by Estadão.
Mendonça’s Receipts and Denial
Justice André Mendonça presented receipts totaling R$26,430 (US$5,180) for tailor services, according to Estado de Minas. This was after suspicions that a lobbyist paid for his suit.
Mendonça denied receiving suits from Vorcaro or anyone else, as reported by O Globo. He also said he met Vorcaro only once and voted against his interests, according to Poder360.
What Happens Next
The investigation is ongoing, with Vorcaro’s plea bargain proposal under review. Authorities will decide whether to accept it, which could lead to further testimony.
The Supreme Court and other institutions are involved. The case may affect public trust in political and financial systems, as it involves high-ranking officials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Daniel Vorcaro say about his 2022 donations?
He said they were bribes to maintain a payroll-loan program. He named Gilberto Kassab as the negotiator.
Who is Gilberto Kassab?
He is the president of the PSD party and a former secretary in São Paulo. He denies the allegations.
What are the credit card allegations?
Vorcaro allegedly authorized credit cards with a R$300,000 (about US$58,800) limit for each of a justice’s children. The justice is Alexandre de Moraes.
Are these allegations proven?
No, they are allegations in testimony. The named individuals deny them.
Connected Coverage
Sources: Jornal de Brasília; Brasil de Fato; CNN Brasil; O Globo; Pleno.News; Terra; iG Último Segundo; Estadão; Estado de Minas; Poder360.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error
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