Brazil police search judge's home in bribery probe

Federal Police in Brazil have launched a major operation targeting a suspended judge and a state legislator in Mato Grosso, suspecting them of involvement in a scheme to sell judicial decisions. Search warrants were executed on Monday at addresses linked to the suspended judge, Dirceu dos Santos, and state legislator Faissal Calil.

The investigation, overseen by the Superior Court of Justice (STJ), seeks to deepen the probe into the alleged "commercialization of judicial decisions and money laundering" within the Mato Grosso Court of Justice (TJ-MT). Dos Santos was previously suspended by the National Council of Justice (CNJ) in March due to suspicions of financial irregularities.

According to the Federal Police, the investigation began after data extracted from cell phones and information shared by the CNJ suggested the judge used the legislator as a financial intermediary to receive illicit payments. The police are examining potential charges of passive corruption, administrative advocacy, and money laundering. Evidence indicates suspicious financial activities, including simulated real estate transactions with straw men to legitimize illicit gains.

Analysis of bank records revealed significant parallel financial movements, with cash deposits and withdrawals exceeding R$3.2 million. The investigation also identified unjustified transfers from agribusiness companies that had agrarian disputes pending before the court. In March, the CNJ reported that Dos Santos had moved over R$14.6 million in the past five years, with a patrimonial variation incompatible with his judicial income.

“

repasse sem lastro negocial justificado, oriundos de empresas do agronegócio que possuíam litígios agrários em trâmite no tribunal