Brazilian court proposes dismissal of former Lava Jato judge over alleged champagne theft

Brazil's Regional Federal Court of the 4th Region (TRF-4) has initiated proceedings that could lead to the dismissal of federal judge Eduardo Appio. Appio, who gained national attention in 2023 for overseeing remaining cases from the Operation Lava Jato anti-corruption probe, has been placed on a five-year leave of absence. The court also proposed his removal from office following an investigation into allegations of theft.

The investigation centers on suspicions that Appio stole three bottles of Moët & Chandon champagne, each valued at R$ 399, from a supermarket in Blumenau, Santa Catarina. The alleged incidents occurred in September and October of 2025. The Civil Police of Santa Catarina reported the case to the TRF-4, which subsequently removed Appio temporarily and opened a disciplinary process.

The TRF-4 stated that Appio's alleged conduct violates the duty of a magistrate to maintain irreproachable behavior, not only in their professional capacity but also in their private life. The court found the alleged actions incompatible with the dignity and decorum expected of a judge. The case will now be sent to the National Council of Justice (CNJ) for a final decision on the proposed dismissal.

This is not the first disciplinary issue for Appio. He was previously removed from his role overseeing Lava Jato cases after making a phone call to the son of another TRF-4 judge, Marcelo Malucelli. Appio had posed as someone else to inquire about the relationship, later admitting to the call and claiming he wanted to verify potential conflicts of interest. This incident led to another disciplinary process, resulting in an agreement where Appio left the Lava Jato court and was transferred to a different federal court handling social security cases.

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The facts are incompatible with the dignity and decorum expected of a magistrate.