A Corruption Scandal Is Reshaping Brazil’s Presidential Election
New York Times
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New York Times
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A explosive corruption scandal ensnaring Brazil's Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, known for cracking down on misinformation and a former president's coup attempt, has plunged the country's highest court into crisis weeks before a pivotal presidential election. The allegations link Moraes to a disgraced banker at the center of a multibillion-dollar fraud scheme, shaking public confidence in the judiciary.
A Corruption Scandal Is Reshaping Brazil’s Presidential Election - The New York Times
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Scandal Comes for the Judge Who Jailed Brazil’s Former President
Explosive allegations of corruption are embroiling a Brazilian Supreme Court justice, Alexandre de Moraes, and reshaping the country’s high-stakes presidential election.
Listen · 10:24 min
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!A person with a bald head wears a black robe over a dark suit, white shirt, and patterned tie. A microphone is in the foreground.
*The Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has become a polarizing figure in the debate over policing online speech.Credit...Dado Galdieri for The New York Times*
By Ana Ionova
Ana Ionova, who covers Brazil for The Times, has been reporting on the Supreme Court for years. She reported from Brasília and Rio de Janeiro.
Sept. 24, 2026, 5:01 a.m. ET
Leer en español
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He cracked down on a deluge of online lies. He punished rioters falsely claiming a stolen election. And he jailed a former president who tried to stage a coup.
Depending on whom you ask, this made Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes either a hero who protected Brazil’s democracy or a villain deploying authoritarian means to target the far right.
His decisions have turned him into a polarizing figure in the complicated global debate over the limits and policing of what can be said online — and drew the ire, and sanctions, of President Trump.
Now, an explosive scandal linking Justice Moraes to a disgraced banker at the center of a multibillion dollar fraud scheme has plunged Brazil’s highest court into a crisis, reshaping a narrow presidential election just weeks away.
The crisis began when another justice made public a damning police dossier suggesting that Justice Moraes may have exchanged dozens of messages with the banker, Daniel Vorcaro.
In texts apparently sent to Justice Moraes, Mr. Vorcaro asked for help avoiding arrest. In other exchanges with associates, Mr. Vorcaro mentioned paying millions to a law firm run by the justice’s wife.
Ana Ionova is a correspondent for The Times, covering Brazil and neighboring countries.
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Advertisement
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Scandal Comes for the Judge Who Jailed Brazil’s Former President
Explosive allegations of corruption are embroiling a Brazilian Supreme Court justice, Alexandre de Moraes, and reshaping the country’s high-stakes presidential election.
Listen · 10:24 min
*
*
*
!A person with a bald head wears a black robe over a dark suit, white shirt, and patterned tie. A microphone is in the foreground.
*The Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has become a polarizing figure in the debate over policing online speech.Credit...Dado Galdieri for The New York Times*
By Ana Ionova
Ana Ionova, who covers Brazil for The Times, has been reporting on the Supreme Court for years. She reported from Brasília and Rio de Janeiro.
Sept. 24, 2026, 5:01 a.m. ET
Leer en español
See more of our coverage in your search results.Encuentra más de nuestra cobertura en los resultados de búsqueda. Add The New York Times on GoogleAgrega The New York Times en Google
He cracked down on a deluge of online lies. He punished rioters falsely claiming a stolen election. And he jailed a former president who tried to stage a coup.
Depending on whom you ask, this made Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes either a hero who protected Brazil’s democracy or a villain deploying authoritarian means to target the far right.
His decisions have turned him into a polarizing figure in the complicated global debate over the limits and policing of what can be said online — and drew the ire, and sanctions, of President Trump.
Now, an explosive scandal linking Justice Moraes to a disgraced banker at the center of a multibillion dollar fraud scheme has plunged Brazil’s highest court into a crisis, reshaping a narrow presidential election just weeks away.
The crisis began when another justice made public a damning police dossier suggesting that Justice Moraes may have exchanged dozens of messages with the banker, Daniel Vorcaro.
In texts apparently sent to Justice Moraes, Mr. Vorcaro asked for help avoiding arrest. In other exchanges with associates, Mr. Vorcaro mentioned paying millions to a law firm run by the justice’s wife.
Ana Ionova is a correspondent for The Times, covering Brazil and neighboring countries.
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Tags:#البرازيل#فضيحة فساد#الانتخابات الرئاسية#المحكمة العليا#ألكسندر دي مورايس#الديمقراطية
Source: New York Times
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