Sergio Moro campaign received donation from lawyer linked to fraud investigation

Sergio Moro’s political campaign received a R$ 50,000 donation from lawyer João Alberto Graça, according to Electoral Justice records. Moro’s office stated that the funds were fully returned.

Graça has a history of legal issues involving the Federal Police. In 2018, he was arrested twice during Operation Registro Espúrio, an investigation into bribery and fraud within the Ministry of Labor. During one operation, Graça reportedly attempted to dispose of his cell phone in a toilet to evade investigators. He was identified as a lobbyist who allegedly organized unions to obtain union cards through bribes involving illegal refunds from the Special Employment and Salary Account.

Graça has also been linked to Alberto Youssef, a key whistleblower in the Lava Jato investigation and a financial operator in the Banestado case. Moro previously served as a judge in cases involving Youssef, even decreeing his arrest, though Moro later declared himself biased for personal reasons regarding Youssef's judgment in 2010.