STF Investigates Alleged Data Leak Involving Tax Agency Employees in Brazil

Investigation Underway into Alleged Fiscal Data Leak

The Supreme Federal Court (STF) in Brazil has initiated an investigation into the alleged illegal leaking of fiscal data belonging to STF ministers, the Prosecutor-General, and their relatives. The office of Minister Alexandre de Moraes, who is the rapporteur for the case, revealed the names of four tax agency employees under suspicion. The operation, which included search and seizure warrants, was carried out on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, across the states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Bahia.

Identified Suspects and Precautionary Measures

The four public servants identified in the investigation are Luiz Antônio Martins Nunes, Luciano Pery Santos Nascimento, Ruth Machado dos Santos, and Ricardo Mansano de Moraes. These individuals, linked to the Federal Revenue Service (Receita Federal) and Serpro (Federal Data Processing Service), are suspected of illicitly accessing and disseminating confidential fiscal information.

As part of the court's order, several precautionary measures have been imposed on the suspects, including:

• Immediate removal from public office
• Electronic ankle monitoring
• Prohibition from leaving the country
• Cancellation of passports
• Prohibition of access to the systems and computerized databases of Serpro and Receita Federal

The Federal Police (PF) will continue to conduct interviews with the investigated individuals as the inquiry progresses.

Affected Individuals and Broader Context

While the STF did not officially disclose the names of all victims, reports indicate that the fiscal data of Viviane Barci de Moraes, wife of Minister Alexandre de Moraes, was among those improperly accessed. The son of another STF minister was also reportedly affected. Some sources suggest that ex-wives of Minister Dias Toffoli and Gilmar Mendes were also potential targets of unauthorized access.

The Receita Federal acknowledged 'deviations' in data access and affirmed that its systems are fully traceable, allowing for the detection and punishment of any misuse. An internal audit was requested by the STF on January 12, 2026, to identify any undue access to data of ministers, their relatives, and other authorities over the past three years. This investigation is part of the broader Inquérito 4.781, also known as the 'fake news inquiry,' which has been ongoing since 2019 and investigates attacks against STF members. The inquiry aims to determine if political or financial motivations drove the unauthorized access.

Institutional Reactions and Concerns

The initiation of this inquiry by Minister Moraes has drawn criticism from some legal experts who raise concerns about institutional impartiality and due process, particularly given that a sitting judge is investigating a matter directly impacting the court. However, the STF maintains that 'various and multiple illicit accesses' to the Receita Federal's system were found, followed by the leakage of confidential information.