Understand in 5 points the PF operation against Jaques Wagner

The PF (Federal Police) launched the 9th phase of Operation Compliance Zero last Thursday (19). Among the targets was Senator Jaques Wagner (PT-BA), leader of the government in the Senate.

The corporation is investigating a possible link between Jaques' family surroundings and his companies with other names connected to the liquidated Banco Master.

According to the PF, elements were identified that indicate the "receipt of undue economic advantages by the parliamentarian, directly or indirectly" through family members, people of trust and corporate structures linked to the Bank.

In this new phase of the investigation, around 55 thousand dollars (R$ 284.1 thousand) and 33 thousand euros (R$ 196.3 thousand) were found at addresses linked to the senator in Brasília and Salvador. The amounts were in a hotel room in the federal capital, where the PT member usually frequents when he is in the city.

Why was Jaques Wagner investigated?
The PF argues that the senator was in direct contact with Augusto Ferreira Lima, Master's former partner. He was responsible for financial operations and sending benefits to the politician.

Among the benefits given to the senator are the supposed payment for an apartment valued at R$2.4 million in Salvador (BA). In a conversation intercepted by the corporation, the parliamentarian forwarded the construction company manager's contact details to Augusto with a message informing the unit and the value of the property. "The unit is 1702 and the price is 2.45 mi."

The property would have been purchased by Építome S.A., a company run by Luiz Antônio Lombardi and identified as an orange for negotiation.

In addition to the apartment, the PF pointed out other advantages in the representation sent to the STF. Among them, the free use of private jets linked to Augusto Lima or Banco Master, the receipt of tickets for international shows held in Los Angeles, in the United States, and payments destined to a company linked to the parliamentarian's family.

The alleged link between Jaques Wagner and the Master case; understand | H TIME

According to information gathered by CNN, the friendship between Jaques Wagner and Augusto Lima was consolidated around 2017 and 2018, when it began to turn into business.

At the time, Jaques was Secretary of Economic Development of the State of Bahia in the Rui Costa government, former Minister of the Civil House of the current government, and was the one who led the privatization of Ebal (Empresa Baiana de Alimentos), a state-owned company that controlled a supermarket chain known as "Cesta do Povo". Augusto Lima was the one who won the bid and took over the creation of a payroll credit operation that would become the basis of Lima's business, Cartão Cesta.

The operation was successful and became one of the payroll arms of Banco Master, owned by Daniel Vorcaro.

After the bidding, Augusto Lima became Vorcaro's partner. It is precisely this chain of relationships that is under the Federal Police's sights.

Legislative action in the interest of the Master
The PF also points out possible connections between the interests of Banco Master and the actions of the government leader in the Senate. The corporation highlights that Wagner worked on proposals to try to expand payroll loans and claims that the agenda had a direct connection with Augusto Lima's business.

In addition to the notes, the investigation seeks to understand a PEC on the coverage limit of the FGC (Credit Guarantee Fund). According to investigators, messages and phone records indicate contacts between executives linked to Master, the senator's advisors and Jaques Wagner on dates close to the proposal's representation.

Government leader Lula admits meetings with Vorcaro, but denies having received money; understand operation

Senator's justification
After completing the ninth phase of the operation, the senator denied that he had acted in favor of Banco Master and that the money seized by the PF was the result of legal daily payments, declared and not used in international missions.

"Senator Jaques Wagner (PT-BA) clarifies that he is not a defendant, has not been denounced and has not been accused in any process related to the facts investigated. The parliamentarian calmly monitors the progress of the investigations and maintains confidence in their conduct.

It is worth clarifying that the aforementioned apartment was never part of the parliamentarian's assets. The senator also denies acting in favor of Banco Master or any other financial institution", said his advisor, in a note sent to the press.

What is Operation Compliance Zero?
Operation Compliance Zero combats the issuance of false credit titles by institutions that are part of the SFN (National Financial System). The crimes investigated include fraudulent management, reckless management and criminal organization, among others.

In the first phase of the operation, the PF executed a total of five preventive arrest warrants, two temporary arrest warrants and 25 search and seizure warrants, in addition to precautionary measures in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Bahia and the Federal District.

According to the PF balance sheet, the seizures from the operation are valued at around R$230.13 million. The investigations that led to the arrest of Daniel Vorcaro began in 2024, following a request from the MPF (Federal Public Ministry).

Master Case: PF executes 15 search and seizure warrants in Operation Compliance Zero | CNN NEW DAY

Political wear and tear
After completing the Operation, Jaques Wagner has been under pressure from President Lula's entourage, including PT allies and leaders, to leave the leadership of the government in the Senate by next week. There is fear that he could give the party an image of involvement with Banco Master.

Despite the pressure, the senator survived when he received a call from Lula. According to CNN's investigation, the episode generated a climate of distrust behind the scenes of the acronym.

The party is divided into two wings: one close to President Lula and in defense of Wagner, arguing that this is a significant leadership within the PT; and another equally expressive one stressing that the PT's priority project is the campaign for Lula's re-election and, therefore, thinks that Wagner should spontaneously step away from the leadership of the government in the Senate.

Banco Master made millionaire payments to a company linked to the family of Jaques Wagner | LIVE CNN

Source: CNN