From the Postal CPI to Trump’s Hotel: Castro-Vorcaro Middleman Was Linked to Pension Fraud Schemes for 20 Years

Another episode involving Rodrigues and pension fund resources, this one investigated by Operation Lava Jato, centered on the construction of a hotel in Barra da Tijuca, in Rio de Janeiro’s southwest zone, in 2016, that was to carry the brand of U.S. President Donald Trump. According to the investigation, Rodrigues and another partner in the project, broadcaster Paulo Figueiredo—now known for his political role alongside former congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro—benefited from fraudulent transactions tied to the sale of shares in the development.

The case is part of a broader set of allegations examined by investigators into the use of pension fund money in real estate ventures linked to politically connected business figures. The hotel project became one of the examples cited in the Lava Jato probe as evidence of improper financial arrangements and possible manipulation in the way investment stakes were marketed and sold.

Investigators said the alleged fraud generated significant gains for the partners involved. Rodrigues is said to have benefited by R$17.8 million, while Figueiredo allegedly received R$9 million. The amounts were linked to operations considered fraudulent in the sale of participation quotas in the project, which was promoted as a high-profile development in one of Rio de Janeiro’s most valuable neighborhoods.

The construction of a Trump-branded hotel in Barra da Tijuca drew attention not only because of the business connection to a globally recognized name, but also because of the broader context in which it emerged: an investigation into pension fund investments and suspected irregularities. Lava Jato, which expanded beyond its original anti-corruption focus into multiple sectors of Brazilian business and politics, scrutinized the transaction as part of its efforts to trace how money moved through complex corporate structures.

The reported findings add to the list of controversies surrounding Rodrigues and other figures connected to the project. They also illustrate how pension fund resources were allegedly used in ventures that later came under suspicion for fraud, raising questions about governance, oversight, and the role of influential intermediaries in securing investment and profiting from the deals.

Paulo Figueiredo’s involvement further increased public interest in the case, given his visibility in political and media circles. His participation in the hotel venture, along with Rodrigues, placed the project under a brighter spotlight as investigators examined whether the sale of shares had been structured in a way that unfairly enriched those involved.

The case reflects how a luxury real estate project tied to an international brand became entangled in one of Brazil’s most significant corruption investigations. What began as a hotel development with strong commercial appeal later became part of a legal and financial inquiry into alleged fraud, private gain, and the handling of pension-related investments.