Justice Benedito Gonçalves and Daniel Vorcaro Reveal Friendship
Messages show meetings and mutual support between justice and former banker
Messages extracted from Daniel Vorcaro’s cell phone reveal that Justice Benedito Gonçalves, who currently serves as the inspector general of the National Council of Justice (CNJ), maintained close and cordial contact with the former banker. The two referred to each other as friends, exchanged greetings, and arranged meetings in Brasília.
May 2024 conversation
On May 17, following a celebratory event, Gonçalves sent Vorcaro: “Good evening, glad to see my friend again. Beautiful party! Congratulations! Hug, Benedito.” The former banker replied with “Dear friend” and “Thank you for the affection,” suggesting another meeting in Brasília to smoke cigars.
Follow-up in July
On July 2, Vorcaro contacted the justice again, calling him a “great friend” and asking to meet in the capital once he returned from Rio de Janeiro. Gonçalves replied that he would arrive on the 29th and would call right after, adding: “And always at your disposal here.” On the same day, he sent a handshake sticker with the phrase “Always in this together.”
Attendance at events
The material indicates that Gonçalves attended an event funded by Vorcaro in London in April 2024, in addition to attending a Macallan whiskey tasting for authorities, also hosted by the former banker.
Investigation context
The messages emerge amid discussions in the Federal Supreme Court regarding the possibility of opening an investigation into Justice Alexandre de Moraes over message exchanges with Vorcaro. The Federal Police handed over the complete contents of Vorcaro’s cell phone to the chambers of Cristiano Zanin, Gilmar Mendes, and Alexandre de Moraes, citing the need to support the analysis.
Gonçalves’s role as inspector general
Gonçalves took over the CNJ’s Internal Affairs Office in 2026, a position he will hold until 2028. In his inaugural speech, he stated that he intends to combine dialogue and technical rigor, advocating guidance before sanctions and prevention before enforcement. He avoided addressing controversial topics such as supersalaries or judges' participation in private events.
The justice's reaction
The justice was contacted through the press offices of the STJ and the CNJ at 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday (15) via WhatsApp, but had not commented by the time the information was published.
With information from Folha de S.Paulo, Brasil 247, Imirante.
Source: Folha de S.Paulo, Brasil 247, Imirante