Messages recovered by Brazil’s Federal Police indicate that Ricardo Lewandowski invited former banker Daniel Vorcaro to his swearing-in as justice minister in January 2024, adding fresh attention to contact between the two men at a time when Lewandowski’s law firm was advising Banco Master.¹

According to the reported exchange, Lewandowski sent the invitation on January 31, a day before the ceremony, writing: “I am counting on you and Augusto at my inauguration.” The reference was to Augusto Ferreira Lima, Vorcaro’s former business partner at Master, who was also investigated in an alleged fraud scheme involving the bank.¹

The messages also show the pair met in São Paulo on January 29. Vorcaro later congratulated Lewandowski and said he had attended the inauguration; Lewandowski replied that he hoped they would meet again soon. In March 2024, Lewandowski sent Vorcaro a new phone number, after which the two spoke briefly by telephone.¹

Lewandowski’s office has stressed a different distinction: he suspended his Brazilian Bar Association registration and withdrew from the law firm upon joining the ministry. His wife and son subsequently ran the practice, which retained its contract with Master from August 2023 until August 2025. Lewandowski said that, from February 2024, he “strictly complied with the law” and did not involve himself in issues outside the ministry’s responsibilities.¹

The episode has also prompted criticism online. Commentator Paulo Figueiredo responded tersely, “Well, well...,” while sharing a post questioning the extent of Lewandowski’s relationship with Vorcaro.Paulo Figueiredo (8) (pfigueiredo08)²

Federal Police later investigated Master and arrested Vorcaro in November 2025, during Lewandowski’s tenure as justice minister, according to the minister’s statement.¹