Senator Jaques Wagner investigated over Banco Master ties
Brazilian Federal Police (PF) lifted secrecy on the investigation of Senator Jaques Wagner (PT‑BA) and uncovered a series of alleged benefits linked to the former Banco Master. The probe found a list of luxury wine gifts valued between R$ 2.5 k and R$ 5.3 k prepared for Wagner and other Bahia politicians, with photos showing bottles labelled “De: Guga (Augusto Lima) Para: Jaques”. PF also identified 74 phone calls – a total of five hours and thirty minutes – between Wagner and Augusto Lima, a former partner of Banco Master, spanning November 2023 to May 2025.
The investigation alleges that Wagner used his legislative influence to push an amendment raising the annual interest‑rate ceiling for credit‑consignado loans to 300 % of the CDI average, a change that would benefit the bank’s business model. It further claims that a luxury apartment in Salvador worth about R$ 2.5 million was purchased for Wagner through a scheme tied to Banco Master, and that Wagner and his wife were taken on a private‑aircraft/heli‑helicopter trip to the “Ilha da Paixão” in October 2023. Daniel Vorcaro, the former controller of Banco Master, reportedly said that ministers Rui Costa, Wagner and Alexandre Silveira were favorable to selling the bank to Banco BRB.
Wagner has publicly denied any wrongdoing, stating he will prove his innocence and noting support from President Luiz Inácio Lula. The case is part of the broader “Operation Compliance Zero” targeting alleged corruption linked to Banco Master.
Entities: André Mendonça · Augusto Lima · Banco Master · Daniel Vorcaro · Jaques Wagner · Jerônimo Rodrigues · Rui Costa
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Jaques Wagner and his wife traveled by private aircraft owned or linked to Augusto Lima to the “Ilha da Paixão” in October 2023. (PF report)
- [● 6 SOURCES] A luxury apartment in Salvador valued at about R$ 2.5 million was purchased for Jaques Wagner through a scheme linked to Banco Master. (PF investigation documents)
- [● 6 SOURCES] A list of luxury wine gifts worth between R$ 2.5 k and R$ 5.3 k was prepared for Jaques Wagner and other Bahia politicians. (PF investigation documents)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Wagner proposed increasing the annual interest‑rate ceiling for credit‑consignado loans to 300 % of the CDI average to benefit Banco Master. (Federal Police investigation)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Wagner used his Senate office to hold meetings with Banco Master representatives on 30 April 2024 and 27 August 2024. (Federal Police documents)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Daniel Vorcaro said ministers Rui Costa, Jaques Wagner and Alexandre Silveira were favorable to selling Banco Master to Banco BRB. (PF investigation documents)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Investigators allege Wagner received tickets to concerts, private‑jet trips and cash payments as possible benefits from Banco Master. (Police report)
- [● 7 SOURCES] Federal Police identified 74 phone calls lasting a total of 5 hours and 30 minutes between Senator Jaques Wagner and Augusto Lima between November 2023 and May 2025. (PF report released by STF minister André Mendonça)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Jaques Wagner invested R$ 167,298 in a Banco Master CDB, later valued at R$ 194,897. (Police report)
- [● 4 SOURCES] A list of luxury wine gifts worth R$ 2.5 k‑R$ 5.3 k was prepared for Jaques Wagner and other Bahia politicians. (Police report)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Federal Police identified 74 phone calls totaling 5 hours 30 minutes between Jaques Wagner and Augusto Lima between November 2023 and May 2025. (Police report)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Jaques Wagner proposed increasing the annual interest‑rate ceiling for credit‑consignado loans to 300 % of the CDI average. (PF report citing Senate amendment)