Key facts
- Brazil's Federal Police have launched an operation targeting executive Thiago Miranda.
- Miranda was hired by banker Daniel Vorcaro to lead a communications campaign for the defunct Banco Master.
- Suspicions include attacks on the central bank and the preparation of a dossier on Itau Unibanco's CEO.
- Authorities authorized the seizure of Miranda's electronic devices, documents, and accounting records.
- Evidence suggests Miranda hired influencers to defend Banco Master and criticize the central bank.
- Miranda may have also been involved in intimidating journalists and unlawfully monitoring individuals.
BRASILIA, July 9 (Reuters) - Brazil's Federal Police have launched an operation targeting executive Thiago Miranda, who was hired by banker Daniel Vorcaro to conduct a communications campaign in defense of the now-defunct lender Banco Master. The operation is part of a widening scandal surrounding the bank's liquidation.
Vorcaro was arrested in March after Brazil's central bank liquidated Banco Master due to a liquidity crisis. The investigation has exposed a network of influence and undermined trust in public officials.
According to a Supreme Court ruling by Justice Andre Mendonca, police suspicions for the operation included attacks on the central bank and the preparation of a dossier on Milton Maluhy Filho, CEO of lender Itau Unibanco. The judge authorized the seizure of electronic devices, documents, accounting records, and other evidence linked to Miranda.
Mendonca stated that evidence suggests Miranda was responsible for hiring influencers to defend Banco Master and criticize the central bank. He may also have been involved in attempts to intimidate journalists and unlawfully monitor individuals. Miranda, owner of a communications agency, had previously been treated as a witness, providing information on Vorcaro's defense efforts. However, messages exchanged between Miranda and Vorcaro led investigators to conclude Miranda's involvement in gathering information on targets, including the Itau CEO and a prominent journalist.