Cláudio Castro's withdrawal from the race for a Senate seat in 2026 did not mean his complete departure from the political structure of the Liberal Party (PL). According to information released by journalist Thiago Prado, from O Globo, in his weekly newsletter Jogo Político, the former governor of Rio de Janeiro agreed with the party on a gross monthly remuneration of R$ 38, equivalent to approximately R$ 27,8 net.
The agreement was reached with the party's national president, Valdemar Costa Neto, after Castro withdrew from the race for one of the Senate seats representing Rio de Janeiro. The decision came after two search and seizure operations carried out by the Federal Police in May, which placed the former governor at the center of various investigations.
The resources used for payment come from the Party Fund, which is supplied by public funds from the Union. In 2025, the PL had access to approximately R$ 192 million through this mechanism. The same model had already been adopted by the party in relation to the licensed councilman Carlos Bolsonaro, who also began to receive remuneration from the party.
Five cell phones targeted by the Federal Police.
Alongside the political agreement, federal investigations continue to advance into the assets and financial life of the former governor.
According to Thiago Prado's publication, the Federal Police are focusing part of their analysis on five cell phones seized in two operations carried out within an interval of just 11 days.
The first occurred on May 15, during searches authorized by Minister Alexandre de Moraes of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), as part of an investigation involving the Refit refinery, linked to businessman Ricardo Magro.
Initially, the agents had authorization to execute warrants in an apartment located on the 12th floor of a building in the Península condominium, in Barra da Tijuca. However, during the operation, a doorman informed them that Castro was residing in a penthouse in the same building.
Three cell phones, an iPad, and a computer were seized at the scene. Among the devices collected were a phone used as the former governor's main communication tool, another for video games, and a third, older phone used since his early years leading the state government.
Eleven days later, a new operation authorized by Minister André Mendonça, also of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), this time related to investigations into Banco Master, led the Federal Police back to the property.
New operation expands the amount of seized material.
At the time, two other cell phones were collected by investigators. One of them had been recently acquired, while the other dates back to the period when Castro held the position of vice-governor in Wilson Witzel's administration.
The set of devices became part of the material analyzed by the Federal Police in search of information related to ongoing investigations.
Change of address and new professional activity.
While responding to the investigations, Castro has begun a process of reorganizing his professional life.
According to the newsletter, the former governor registered Cláudio Castro Sociedade Individual de Advocacia (Cláudio Castro Individual Law Firm) and intends to practice civil law after leaving politics. The office is located in a commercial space on Rua da Assembleia, in downtown Rio de Janeiro.
To date, however, there is no record of the new venture issuing any invoices.
At the same time, Castro was reportedly finalizing the move to a penthouse owned by J3 Real Estate, a company linked to the former state secretary of Digital Transformation, Mauro Farias. The property was acquired for R$ 3,5 million in April 2023 and remained unoccupied until recently.
Defense prepares explanations regarding assets.
According to the publication, the defense strategy will focus on demonstrating the main monthly expenses of the former governor and his wife, advertising executive Analine Castro.
Among the listed expenses are R$ 10 for rent of the penthouse where they live, R$ 5 for condominium fees, R$ 6 for the commercial space used as a law office, and R$ 7 for the monthly school fees of the couple's two children.
Furthermore, Castro recently sold the apartment he owned in Itanhangá, which he declared to the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) in 2022 for R$ 150. He also sought recognition of his right to receive approximately R$ 142 related to unused vacation time during his time as Governor of the State.
The investigations conducted by the Federal Police are ongoing, and there is still no conclusion regarding the facts uncovered in the various inquiries involving the former governor.
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