Security Video Shows Ex-Lava Jato Judge Taking Champagne as TRF-4 Keeps Him Suspended

Overview

• Surveillance footage published by g1, O Globo and Estadão shows Eduardo Appio placing Moët & Chandon bottles in a bag, leaving a Blumenau supermarket without paying, being stopped by security and taken back inside.
• TRF-4 opened a disciplinary proceeding in late November, lifted secrecy over the case and has maintained Appio’s precautionary removal since October 30, with restrictions on accessing the court and using judicial resources.
• Investigators say there were at least three episodes in September and October, including a R$399 bottle, with one video showing a checkout of a toy while a champagne bottle appears inside a bag.
• A police report identifying a getaway vehicle by license plate led investigators to a car registered to Appio, after which the Civil Police referred the matter to TRF-4 because he is a first-instance magistrate.
• Appio denies wrongdoing, calls the case fake news and the video fraudulent, alleges political persecution and threatens legal action including against Senator Sergio Moro, who rejects his claims.