Gilmar formally proposes banning Federal Police officers from STF justices’ offices

Supreme Federal Court Justice Gilmar Mendes has drafted a proposal to bar Federal Police delegates from working in the offices of the court’s justices, apart from security duties.

Mendes suggested the change to STF President Luiz Edson Fachin after the publication of a Federal Police report revealing conversations between banker Daniel Vorcaro and Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Estadão reported the contents of those exchanges.

The proposed rule would prohibit the appointment or assignment of members of the armed forces and employees of the police careers listed in Article 144 of Brazil’s Constitution, including those on leave or secondment, to commissioned posts or commissioned functions in justices’ offices. It would allow an exception for security work, provided the chief of staff informs the court’s secretariat.

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The appointment or assignment of members of the armed forces and employees of the police careers listed in Article 144 of the Federal Constitution, even if on leave or secondment, to a commissioned post or commissioned function in the offices of the justices is prohibited.

The proposal would also bar those officials from participating in investigations or proceedings and from carrying out legal advisory work. Four Federal Police delegates currently work at the STF. Two are assigned to Justice André Mendonça’s office to reinforce investigations into Banco Master and improper deductions from retirees’ social-security payments. Two others work in Moraes’ office.

Any change to the internal rules must be approved by the justices in administrative sessions. Mendes had raised the idea before, but the proposal gained momentum amid the controversy involving Vorcaro and Moraes.

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For the exercise of security duties, duly reported by the chief of staff to the court secretariat, with participation in the preparation of investigations or proceedings and legal advisory activities prohibited.