Zanin Seeks Answers Over Confidential Data in an Election File

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Cristiano Zanin is seeking answers regarding confidential data about him that was included in a public election file by Deltan Dallagnol, a Senate candidate in Paraná state. Dallagnol, a former federal prosecutor and known corruption fighter, placed the fiscal and banking records of Zanin and his relatives in his official candidacy filing to prove his eligibility to run for office.

These records, dated to 2019, briefly appeared on Brazil's electoral court website before being removed. However, a judge in Rio de Janeiro subsequently ordered the data to be made public again due to a separate investigation into alleged misuse of public funds. Zanin, who was appointed to the Supreme Federal Court in 2023 by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has filed a letter requesting measures to fix the likely illegality and accountability for those involved, potentially including criminal sanctions.

Dallagnol's team claims they only intended to use the complaint Zanin filed against him in 2021 as proof of his eligibility and never intended to expose his confidential data. Brazil's tax-secrecy rules generally prohibit the disclosure of financial records without legal authorization, and no court has yet ruled on Zanin's request.

Dallagnol, who has been fighting for office since 2023, argues that the old "clean record" election law no longer applies to his Senate bid. Both Zanin's request and Dallagnol's registration case remain open, with no set hearing date for a final ruling. Brazilians are set to vote for president, governors, senators, and members of Congress on October 4, 2026.