Messages presented by Moro: Bolsonaro and Carla Zambelli (April 2020)

Sergio Moro · Jair Bolsonaro · Carla Zambelli

To support his accusation and rebut Bolsonaro's version, Moro showed Jornal Nacional screenshots of conversations: Bolsonaro with 'one more reason for the swap' on receiving news about an inquiry into allied lawmakers; and Carla Zambelli asking him to accept Ramagem and suggesting Moro's move to the Supreme Federal Court (STF), with the reply 'I'm not for sale.' In May 2020, Estadão also released Bolsonaro's message of 4/22 about Valeixo's departure, taken from the phone handed to the Federal Police (PF).

Status as of October 24, 2026: Authenticity: the messages come from Moro's phone (copy handed to the Federal Police (PF)); we did not find a forensic examination or a formal challenge to authenticity in the sources read. Zambelli declined to comment to Globo.

Sources (1)

Moro showed Jornal Nacional a conversation with Deputy Carla Zambelli in which she asks him to accept Ramagem at the PF and suggests she would help make his nomination to the STF viable; he replies that he is not for sale. Zambelli, when contacted, did not comment at the time.

Leaked messageSeveral independent sources

Source: JN exibe suposta troca de mensagens de Moro com Bolsonaro — Poder360, Apr. 24, 2020 · paragraphs 9 to 12 · open original ↗

Accusation: Sergio Moro: The messages would support political interference (Bolsonaro) and would refute the condition of going to the Supreme Federal Court (STF) (Zambelli).
Sources (2)
Jornal Nacional showed a screenshot, displayed by Moro, of a conversation of April 22, 2020 in which Bolsonaro sent a link from the site O Antagonista (PF 'on the heels of' allied deputies) and wrote 'one more reason for the change'; Moro replied that the inquiry was being conducted by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, at the STF.
Leaked messageSeveral independent sources
Source: JN exibe suposta troca de mensagens de Moro com Bolsonaro — Poder360, Apr. 24, 2020 · paragraphs 4 to 8 · open original ↗
Moro showed Jornal Nacional a conversation with Deputy Carla Zambelli in which she asks him to accept Ramagem at the PF and suggests she would help make his nomination to the STF viable; he replies that he is not for sale. Zambelli, when contacted, did not comment at the time.
Leaked messageSeveral independent sources
Source: JN exibe suposta troca de mensagens de Moro com Bolsonaro — Poder360, Apr. 24, 2020 · paragraphs 9 to 12 · open original ↗
Response: Jair Bolsonaro: Denied wanting information about investigations; maintained, in 2021, the version about the Supreme Federal Court (STF).
Sources (2)
On the same day, in an address of about 46 minutes, Bolsonaro denied having interfered in the PF, stated that it is his prerogative to dismiss the director-general, said Valeixo agreed to leave at his own request, and that Moro had conditioned the change on a nomination to the STF.
StatementAllegation
Source: Leia a íntegra do pronunciamento de Bolsonaro depois da saída de Moro — Poder360, Apr. 24, 2020 · full address · open original ↗
In testimony to the PF (November 3, 2021), Bolsonaro repeated that Moro had agreed to Ramagem's appointment as long as it took place after his nomination to the STF, and that he had demanded 'greater effort' from Moro on the Marielle case doorman and on the Adélio case.
Document described in a news reportSingle source
Source: Em depoimento, Bolsonaro diz que Moro condicionou troca na PF à vaga no STF — Poder360, Nov. 2021 · paragraphs 3 to 5 · open original ↗

Decisions

Date	Body and case	Sphere	Outcome
Apr. 29, 2020	STF · Rapporteur justice (preliminary injunction) MS 37.097	Constitutional review	The decision that suspended Ramagem's appointment cites Moro's public statements and the open inquiry; express mention of the released messages was not confirmed (text of the decision not opened). Sources (1) On April 29, 2020, in MS 37.097 (PDT), Justice Alexandre de Moraes suspended the decree appointing Alexandre Ramagem as PF director-general, pointing to the viability, 'in theory', of misuse of purpose, and cited Moro's public statements and the open inquiry (the express mention of the released messages was not confirmed; text of the decision not opened). Judicial or administrative decisionSeveral independent sources Source: Alexandre suspende nomeação de Ramagem para a chefia da PF — Consultor Jurídico, Apr. 29, 2020 · excerpt of the decision reproduced; 'MS 37.097' · open original ↗

“Conviction” and “acquittal” apply only in the sphere indicated: a civil or disciplinary decision is not a criminal conviction.

Cases: Writ of Mandamus 37.097 (STF) — appointment of Alexandre Ramagem as PF director-general

Quotes

Moro, o Valeixo sai nessa semana. Isto está decidido. Você pode dizer apenas a forma. A pedido ou ex oficio [sic]

Portal translation: Moro, Valeixo is leaving this week. This is decided. You can only say how. At his request or ex officio [sic]

Jair Bolsonaro · April 22, 2020 · Leaked message · WhatsApp message to Moro, reproduced by Estado de S. Paulo and Poder360