Brazil police detect 74 calls, 5.5 hours of conversation between Senator Jaques Wagner and ex-bank partner

Federal police in Brazil have identified 74 phone calls, totaling five and a half hours, between Senator Jaques Wagner and a former business partner of Banco Master, Augusto Ferreira Lima. These conversations occurred between November 2023 and May 2025, according to an investigation that underpinned the "Compliance Zero" operation against Wagner, who previously led the government.

The police report, made public by Supreme Court Minister André Mendonça, highlights a "clear preference" for phone calls over messages between Wagner and Lima, with multiple daily conversations noted. The investigation is looking into alleged bribe payments from Banco Master to Wagner. It also points to a R$2.5 million apartment purchase for the senator, which allegedly used the same illicit scheme as a previous property acquisition for the former president of Banco Regional de Brasília (BRB), Paulo Henrique Costa.

Further details from the investigation suggest that Daniel Vorcaro, the owner of Banco Master, arranged a meeting with Wagner at the Senate. Vorcaro also reportedly made a private plane available to the senator and mentioned in a conversation that Wagner could act as an intermediary to relay messages to President Lula. Wagner has previously denied any wrongdoing or acting in favor of the banker.