# Judicial corruption investigations in Brazil

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/judicial-corruption-investigations-in-brazil
> Updated: 2026-10-21T13:40:59.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

Law enforcement and judicial authorities in Brazil have conducted multiple operations targeting corruption and money laundering within the judiciary.

In Rio de Janeiro, the Federal Police launched ‘Operation Em Nome do Pai’ to investigate Judge Alexandre Eduardo Scisinio of the Rio de Janeiro State Court of Justice. Investigators suspect Scisinio favored construction and real estate firms in exchange for benefits such as real estate and indirect payments. The operation included search and seizure warrants targeting the judge, his family, and a lawyer.

Separately, the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) concluded ‘Operação Faroeste’, resulting in the unanimous conviction of five individuals involved in a corruption scheme concerning land disputes in western Bahia. The scheme was orchestrated by Adailton Maturino dos Santos, a ‘false consul’ for Guinea-Bissau, who facilitated bribes to secure judicial decisions favoring agribusiness interests in disputes covering approximately 405,000 hectares.

The convicted include Judge Sérgio Humberto de Quadros Sampaio and former president of the Bahia Court of Justice, Maria do Socorro Barreto Santiago. Sentences range from 10 years and 9 months to 21 years and 7 months in initial closed prison regimes. Adailton Maturino dos Santos received 21 years and 7 months, while his wife, Geciane Maturino dos Santos, was sentenced to 16 years and 4 months. The court also ordered the defendants to forfeit their public offices, assets, and values derived from the crimes to the Union.

## Claims

- The STJ Special Court unanimously convicted five defendants in the Faroeste Operation. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Adailton Maturino dos Santos was sentenced to 21 years and 7 months in prison. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Maria do Socorro Barreto Santiago was sentenced to 14 years and 11 months in prison. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Sérgio Humberto de Quadros Sampaio was sentenced to 15 years and 8 months in prison. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The court ordered the loss of public office for the two magistrates. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The court ordered the forfeiture of assets and values derived from the crimes to the Union. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The corruption scheme involved land disputes in western Bahia covering approximately 405,000 hectares. (single source)
- Adailton Maturino dos Santos presented himself as a consul for Guinea-Bissau without authorization. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-21: Brazil STJ convicts officials in Faroeste land corruption scheme

Brazil's STJ unanimously convicted five individuals, including a former judge and a former court president, for corruption and money laundering related to land disputes in Bahia.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazils-superior-court-convicts-five-in-judicial-corruption-scheme

### 2026-10-08: Rio de Janeiro judge investigated for judicial corruption

Brazilian Federal Police are investigating Rio de Janeiro judge Alexandre Eduardo Scisinio for allegedly exchanging judicial decisions for benefits for his family, involving real estate and construction firms.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rio-de-janeiro-judge-investigated-for-judicial-corruption

---
Cite as: Judicial corruption investigations in Brazil. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/judicial-corruption-investigations-in-brazil