Lula's Senate leader appeals to STF to annul police operation against him

Jaques Wagner, the leader of the Lula government in the Brazilian Senate, has formally appealed to the Supreme Federal Court (STF) to nullify a recent search and seizure operation conducted at his residences. The operation is part of the ongoing "Compliance Zero" investigation.

Wagner's defense team asserts that the operation was marred by "grave errors" and contends that the senator did not act within the National Congress to benefit Banco Master, a financial institution linked to Daniel Vorcaro. The defense also addressed the cash seized from Wagner's properties, stating that its origin is legitimate and documented. They claim a portion comes from publicly declared per diems paid by the Senate for international missions, while another part was acquired through official transactions with a financial institution.

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The senator positioned himself against the 'Master Amendment,' presented by another parliamentarian.

However, reports indicate that the amount of per diems received by Wagner does not align with the cash seized by the Federal Police. The investigation, which targeted Wagner as a primary subject, is examining alleged fraud schemes involving Banco Master and the PT in Bahia. Investigators suspect Wagner received a property valued at R$2.5 million and bribe payments totaling R$3.5 million through a company connected to a family member.

Federal Police are also scrutinizing whether Wagner utilized his parliamentary influence to advocate for Banco Master's interests in Congress. Evidence suggests the senator may have directly negotiated proposals beneficial to the bank, controlled by Daniel Vorcaro, with the institution's former partner, Augusto Ferreira Lima.

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Regarding the cash amounts found, the defense points out that all have a lawful and proven origin: part comes from publicly declared per diems paid by the Senate for missions abroad, and another part was acquired through official operations with a financial institution, with regular registration.