Former Rio de Janeiro governor Cláudio Castro is at the center of yet another episode revealed by the Federal Police as part of Operation Compliance Zero. This time, investigators indicate that banker Daniel Vorcaro organized and paid for a lavish dinner for Castro in New York, including gold-leafed meat and the presence of famous Turkish chef Salt Bae.
The information was revealed by journalist Malu Gaspar, from The Globe, based on the representation of the PF that underpinned the eighth phase of the operation, responsible for carrying out search and seizure warrants last Tuesday (26), including in the apartment where Castro lives, in Barra da Tijuca, West Zone of Rio.
According to investigators, the meeting took place in May 2023, during Cláudio Castro's official trip to the United States to participate in the LIDE Brazil Investment Forum. On that occasion, Vorcaro allegedly offered the then-governor dinner at the Nusr-Et Steakhouse restaurant in Manhattan, known internationally for its extravagant dishes and meats covered in gold leaf.
Messages revealed
WhatsApp conversations obtained by the Federal Police show dialogues between Vorcaro and an aide identified as Leo Serrano Giunchetti. In the messages, the banker requests that a special experience be arranged for the then-head of the Guanabara Palace.
"The owner, Salt Bae, is there and will be at their table," the assistant wrote.
"Show. Order that golden meat or some special one for him to go with," Vorcaro replied.
The messages also show the sending of an image of a wine valued at US$1.250, equivalent to more than R$6 at the exchange rate at the time. Hours later, Vorcaro forwarded the restaurant's address to Cláudio Castro.
"You don't exist," replied the then-governor.
In another excerpt, the banker tries to further impress his political ally by informing him that Salt Bae himself would be present at the restaurant that night.
"Good that the Man is there today," Vorcaro wrote. "That's right," Castro replied.
According to the Federal Police report, Vorcaro insisted that the reservation be made in Cláudio Castro's name. The assistant, however, informed him that this would not be possible because the tables were already registered under the businessman's name.
Although the owner of Banco Master did not directly participate in the dinner, investigators claim he was in New York at that time, according to location records from a cell phone seized by the Federal Police.
Hours after the meeting, Vorcaro inquired whether the bill had already been settled.
"They're gone. Everything's fine. Bill paid," the assistant replied.
The Federal Police identified a payment of US$13,3 on Vorcaro's credit card on the same date as the dinner. Considering the dollar exchange rate at the time, the total cost of the luxurious experience reached approximately R$66,1.
Operation Compliance Zero
The revelations are part of the eighth phase of Operation Compliance Zero, which investigates alleged irregularities involving relationships between businesspeople, public officials, and contracts linked to the government.
Bill of R$ 66 thousand
On Tuesday (26), the Federal Police carried out search and seizure warrants related to the case. One of the targets of the operation was properties linked to Cláudio Castro in Rio de Janeiro.
Salt Bae, whose real name is Nusret Gökçe, became world-famous for his theatrical way of seasoning meats and for the restaurants frequented by celebrities, soccer players, and heads of state. Among the famous clients photographed in his establishments are Leonardo DiCaprio, Lionel Messi, and Nicolás Maduro.
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