PGR will investigate conflict in hiring Lewandowski's office by Master

The Attorney General of the Republic, Paulo Gonet, was provoked this Tuesday, 27th, to investigate whether there was influence peddling and violations of the Conflict of Interest Law by the former Minister of Justice Ricardo Lewandowski, whose law firm of which he is a partner received more than R$5 million from Banco Master, an amount that even covers the period after he took office in the first echelon of the federal government.

The actual news, a kind of crime report, was presented by state deputy Guto Zacarias (União Brasil). The parliamentarian cites the report from the Metropolises which revealed the contract between the Master and Lewandowski’s office that provided for the payment of R$250,000 per month and states that the evidence points to the commission of the crime of influence peddling and acts that violate the principles of Public Administration and the Conflict of Interest Law.

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“The investigation is essential to verify any connection between the amounts received, the services provided and the previous exercise of a strategic public function”, explained the deputy. “The public interest in the investigation arises not only from the significant financial value involved, but, above all, from the institutional risk inherent to the possible improper use of prestige, influence or information obtained during the exercise of the highest position in the country’s justice and public security policy”.

Opportunity with security!

Lewandowski was minister of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) until April 2023 and only joined the Lula government in February 2024. Recently, Gonet denied requests made by parliamentarians to propose the removal of STF minister Dias Toffoli from the rapporteurship of the Master case after several reports revealed the magistrate’s ties to those being investigated and their lawyers.

In the representation, Zacarias asks the PGR to investigate the compatibility of the amounts paid by Daniel Vorcaro with the services allegedly provided by Lewandowski’s company and the possible direct or indirect participation of family members, close people or legal entities linked to the former minister.