The Federal Police investigation into the relationship between banker Daniel Vorcaro, controller of Banco Master, and former Rio governor Cláudio Castro revealed details of a luxurious whiskey tasting held in New York in May 2024. The gathering, reserved for only ten guests, reportedly cost US$1,023 million — equivalent to R$5,2 million at the exchange rate considered by the Federal Police.
Among the figures detailed by investigators, the expenses of US$63.956, approximately R$328, stand out, allocated to reserving the venue and purchasing premium cigars for the guests. The event took place at the Carnegie Club, near Central Park, known for being one of the city's most exclusive lounges for cigar and single malt whisky aficionados.
According to documents obtained by the Federal Police, the largest expense of the night was for luxury whiskeys, totaling US$674.789, approximately R$3,4 million. Local taxes, international transfer fees, and a 10% administration fee were also included in the total.
List of expenses caught the attention of the Federal Police.
According to data gathered by investigators, the costs of the so-called "whiskey spree" were divided as follows:
- Space rental and cigars: US$ 63.956 (R$ 328)
- Whiskey: US$ 674.789 (R$ 3,4 million)
- Local taxes: US$ 137.136 (R$ 704)
- Administration fee: US$ 73.874 (R$ 379)
- Wire tax: US$ 17
The total reached US$1.023.646, equivalent to R$5.257.036.
The investigation indicates that influential figures in national politics participated in the meeting, including Senator Ciro Nogueira (PP-PI), federal deputies Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB), Marcos Pereira (Republicanos-SP), Isnaldo Bulhões (MDB-AL) and Doutor Luizinho (PP-RJ), as well as the then governor Cláudio Castro (PL).
Contacted for comment, the parliamentarians did not respond to the reporter's inquiries. Ciro Nogueira denied participating in the event. Antonio Rueda, president of União Brasil, stated that he only passed by the location and did not participate in the tasting.
Messages reveal invitation to a private meeting.
The messages analyzed by the Federal Police show that Daniel Vorcaro directly invited Cláudio Castro to the meeting on May 14, 2024.
“There will be a small event. Whisky tasting,” the banker wrote to the then-governor of Rio. Castro then inquired about the time and location of the meeting before confirming his attendance.
Investigators highlight that the event was planned for an extremely select group, with only ten participants. The meeting became part of the investigation into possible irregularities involving investments by Rioprevidência (Rio de Janeiro's pension fund) in assets linked to Banco Master.
Federal Police link event to multimillion dollar investments.
According to the investigation, the day after the tasting in New York, Rioprevidência made an investment of R$ 80 million in Financial Letters from Banco Master. The Federal Police claim to have also identified two other subsequent investments, of R$ 80 million and R$ 70 million.
The corporation maintains that the close relationship between Daniel Vorcaro and Cláudio Castro facilitated financial transactions totaling approximately R$ 3 billion. Investigators mention an "almanac of irregularities" involving investments made by the fund responsible for paying pensions and retirement benefits to state employees in Rio de Janeiro.
The messages about the luxury meeting in New York were initially revealed by GloboNews and later became part of the documents analyzed by the Federal Police as the investigations progressed.
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