Senator Wagner confident he will prove innocence in Banco Master probe

Senator Jaques Wagner expressed certainty on Friday that he will prove his innocence amid investigations connecting him to Banco Master. Speaking to Rádio Baiana FM, Wagner stated that his lawyers advised him against making detailed comments on the suspicions.

Wagner mentioned receiving support from President Lula and confirmed his attendance at the PT-BA convention. He quoted a Supreme Court minister, saying, "The inquiry also serves to clear guilt." He added, "I am sure I will prove my innocence. The inquiry obviously takes time. I am now focused on the election."

Federal Police documents reveal that Wagner and Augusto Ferreira Lima, an executive linked to Banco Master, had at least 74 phone conversations over 18 months, totaling five and a half hours. The documents also suggest Wagner received gifts, used private jets, and arranged a "discreet" meeting in his office between Banco Master executives and the Attorney General, Jorge Messias.

Recalling a similar situation in 2018 during his first Senate campaign, Wagner noted, "In 2018, the same episode happened. At the time, it was about Fonte Nova. They opened an inquiry, made a fuss, and later I wasn't even indicted, there was no lawsuit, and it was archived." He referred to Operation "Cartão Vermelho," which investigated alleged overpayments for stadium reconstruction, a probe later annulled by the courts.