Disgraced Banker

Brazil's Supreme Court has been drawn into another scandal following revelations about its judges' relations with a notorious banker charged with financial crimes. Daniel Vorcaro forged contacts with a sprawling network of politicians of every stripe, top judges and high-ranking officials before landing in jail for one of Brazil's biggest-ever financial scandals.

The 42-year-old was charged with fraud after authorities liquidated his private bank Banco Master, which left debts worth over $7 billion in its trail. Vorcaro told police he had "friends in all branches of government" upon his arrest last year.

Texts to a judge

In the days leading up to his detention, Vorcaro sent around 30 text messages to a phone number attributed to Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes, who oversaw the trial of ex-president Bolsonaro. "Do you think I need to be out of the country as early as Monday?" the banker asked. He also apparently asked the judge to help halt the probe.

Leftist President Lula has admitted to meeting with Vorcaro, while his right-wing challenger Flavio Bolsonaro asked the banker to finance a film about his jailed father. The scandal comes just ahead of presidential elections in October, with one Supreme Court justice already removed from Banco Master proceedings.