Gilmar Mendes: Toffoli to Stay on ‘Master’ Case – PGR Backs Conduct

Gilmar Mendes Defends Colleague Dias Toffoli Amidst ‘Master’ Case Controversy

The Dean of Brazil’s Federal Supreme Court (STF), Gilmar Mendes, publicly defended colleague Dias Toffoli on Thursday, asserting that the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) has found no irregularities in Toffoli’s continued leadership of the investigation into the Banco Master case. The move comes as scrutiny intensifies over the minister’s handling of the high-profile financial matter.

The PGR’s decision, dated January 15th but recently publicized, dismissed a request from opposition parliamentarians seeking Toffoli’s removal. This request stemmed from revelations that Toffoli traveled to Lima, Peru, in November to attend the Libertadores final on a private jet belonging to a businessman, accompanied by legal counsel for a former Master executive under investigation in Operation Compliance Zero.

According to Mendes, the Attorney General of the Republic, Paulo Gonet, determined that Toffoli’s actions were within legal parameters. “Minister Dias Toffoli has a public career marked by commitment to the Constitution and the regular functioning of institutions,” Mendes wrote on the social network X. “When exercising jurisdiction, his actions comply with the parameters of due legal process and were subject to consideration by the Attorney General’s Office, which recognized the regularity of his stay in the case.”

The defense follows growing concerns regarding Toffoli’s conduct in the case, with reports of “atypical” decisions and pressure from both the Federal Police and political factions. These pressures have reportedly triggered an internal crisis within the Supreme Court and fueled criticism surrounding the minister’s involvement.

However, Toffoli’s allies maintain there is no legal justification for his recusal, arguing that any grievances should be addressed through established institutional channels. A separate request to the PGR, submitted by Senator Eduardo Girão, alleging connections between Toffoli’s brothers and a relative of Daniel Vorcaro, owner of Master, through a resort in Paraná, remains unanswered.

Mendes emphasized the importance of judicial independence and respect for institutional bodies, stating that these are “indispensable conditions for republican dialogue and for society’s trust in institutions.” He reiterated that Toffoli’s actions have been subject to review and endorsed by the PGR.

Behind the scenes, sources indicate that questions about Toffoli’s report in the Master case arose due to decisions perceived as unusual and mounting pressure from various stakeholders. Despite the controversy, supporters of the minister insist there is no legal basis for his removal, and any criticism should be channeled through appropriate institutional avenues.