✓ verbatim from the press
Former Rio de Janeiro governor Cláudio Castro (PL) announced on Thursday (28) that he is withdrawing from the Senate race to focus on his defense after being targeted by Federal Police operations related to the Banco Master case. The decision was communicated to PL president Valdemar Costa Neto following a series of investigations pointing to an alleged corruption scheme involving Rioprevidência investments in the bank. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Cláudio Castro (PL), ex-governador do Rio de Janeiro, anunciou nesta quinta-feira (28) que desistiu de disputar a eleição ao Senado para focar em sua defesa após ser alvo de operações da Polícia Federal ligadas ao caso do Banco Master"
The Federal Police is investigating meetings between Castro and former banker Daniel Vorcaro, owner of Banco Master, at luxury venues in New York, including whiskey tastings and dinners that cost over US$ 1 million. According to the investigation, there was "synchronism" between these meetings and billionaire contributions from the state employees' pension fund to the bank, totaling around R$ 3.6 billion. In March 2026, a Supreme Court Justice ordered Vorcaro's arrest in connection with the bank fraud investigation. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Os encontros entre o ex-governador do Rio de Janeiro Castro Castro (PL) e o ex-banqueiro Daniel Vorcaro, dono do Banco Master, incluíram uma degustação milionária de uísque e um jantar no restaurante do badalado chefe turco Salt Bae, em Nova York"
"A Brazilian Supreme Court Justice ordered the arrest of Daniel Vorcaro, the former head of a bank worth up to $16 billion in assets"
Castro is also under investigation in Operation Sem Refino for an alleged tax evasion scheme to benefit the Refit refinery, whose owner Ricardo Magro is considered the country's largest tax debtor, with liabilities of R$ 52 billion. In a video released on social media, Castro denied irregularities and called the withdrawal "the most difficult decision" of his life, linking the operations to the pre-electoral "great battle." ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Castro é suspeito de participar de um esquema de sonegação de impostos para beneficiar a refinaria Refit (antiga Manguinhos), cujo dono, Ricardo Magro, é considerado o maior devedor de impostos do país, com um passivo de R$ 52 bilhões"
Castro's exit from the electoral race has already generated internal dispute within PL, with deputies Carlos Jordy and Sóstenes Cavalcante being pointed as main candidates to take the Senate ticket spot for Rio de Janeiro. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"O espólio político de Cláudio Castro já está em disputa antes mesmo da poeira assentar. Os deputados Carlos Jordy, vice-líder da Minoria, e Sóstenes Cavalcante, líder do PL, são os principais candidatos a entrar na disputa"
Castro withdrew from Senate candidacy on Thursday (28) and communicated the decision to PL president
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (2)
Carlos Jordy has advantage in internal PL dispute according to poll
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What is the current status of investigations against Daniel Vorcaro after his arrest?
Why it's still unknown: Sources do not detail the progress of judicial proceedings against the former banker after the March 2026 arrest order
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What is the exact amount of Rioprevidência investments in Banco Master and when were they made?
Why it's still unknown: Mentioned values vary between R$ 80 million and R$ 3.6 billion, without detailed chronology of contributions
Did not cover: JC -
Who will be the official PL candidate for Senate in Rio de Janeiro?
Why it's still unknown: The decision about Castro's replacement has not yet been officialized by the party