Brazil's federal police executed a search and seizure warrant on Senator Ciro Nogueira on Thursday as investigators extended their inquiry into Banco Master, the Supreme Court disclosed in a ruling the same day.
The court document notes that Nogueira, who served as chief of staff to former President Jair Bolsonaro from August 2021 until December 2022, is also the leader of the Progressives party and represents the state of Piaui in the Senate. The action marks a notable widening of the probe into the collapsed lender.
In his ruling, Supreme Court Justice Andre Mendonca wrote that the police investigation indicated Nogueira allegedly acted in favor of Banco Master owner Daniel Vorcaro "in exchange for undue economic advantages." The decision links the senator to the ongoing allegations being examined by authorities.
There was no immediate response from Nogueira to requests for comment, according to the court record.
The search warrant targeting a sitting senator signifies an escalation of the inquiry from the financial realm into the political sphere. Banco Master was liquidated in November after a severe liquidity crisis, and its owner Vorcaro is currently under arrest, matters that remain central to the probe.
Investigators have thus far connected the bank's collapse, the arrest of its owner, and now potential political involvement through the search and seizure action. The Supreme Court ruling provides the legal basis for the police measures and records the allegations presented by investigators.
The case continues to develop as law enforcement and judicial authorities pursue evidence related to alleged corruption tied to Banco Master. Further details beyond the court statement were not provided in the ruling released on Thursday.
Clear summary
Federal police executed a search and seizure warrant on Senator Ciro Nogueira as part of an expanded investigation into Banco Master, a bank that was liquidated in November amid a liquidity crisis. Supreme Court Justice Andre Mendonca cited investigative findings that Nogueira allegedly acted in favor of Banco Master owner Daniel Vorcaro "in exchange for undue economic advantages." Vorcaro is under arrest and the probe has moved into the political sphere. Nogueira did not immediately respond to requests for comment.