Moraes Accuses Mendonça of Misconduct, Abuse of Authority and Official Crimes

Alexandre de Moraes has used the Supreme Court’s Fake News inquiry to accuse his court rival, André Mendonça, of administrative misconduct, abuse of authority and crimes of responsibility.

The move came after Mendonça, who serves as rapporteur in the Banco Master case, lifted the secrecy on Tuesday, Oct. 1, from a Federal Police report. The report revealed compromising messages between Moraes and Master banker Daniel Vorcaro, after Estadão disclosed the content.

Moraes says Mendonça breached judicial impartiality and favored particular political groups while handling the Sem Desconto and Compliance Zero operations. He accuses Mendonça of taking over the direction of police investigations, ordering administrative measures that allegedly weakened compliance with the chain of custody and harmed the production of evidence.

The petition also alleges irregular handling of possible plea-bargain talks and the targeting of specific people for investigation, including Moraes and Senate President Davi Alcolumbre, for personal and political reasons. Moraes further claims that Mendonça had indicated precautionary measures before the Federal Police presented them.

In a 20-page petition submitted to Fachin, Moraes cited Article 102 of Brazil’s Constitution, Article 33 of the Organic Law of the National Judiciary and Article 5 of the Supreme Court’s internal rules. He asked Fachin to take action against Mendonça.