Treasury Department Targets Financial Support Network of Alexandre de Moraes, Citing Human Rights Abuses
In an expansion of sanctions against Brazilian Supreme Federal Court (STF) justice Alexandre de Moraes, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced today it is sanctioning the Lex Instituto de Estudos Juridicos LTDA (Lex Institute) and the justice’s wife, Viviane Barci de Moraes.
The action follows the initial designation of de Moraes on July 30, 2025, for using his judicial position to authorize arbitrary pre-trial detentions and suppress freedom of expression in Brazil.
According to a statement from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the new sanctions target de Moraes’ financial support network.
“Alexandre de Moraes is responsible for an oppressive campaign of censorship, arbitrary detentions, and politicized prosecutions—including against former President Jair Bolsonaro,” said Bessent. “Today’s action makes clear that Treasury will continue to target individuals who provide material support to de Moraes as he abuses human rights.”
The Lex Institute is described by the Treasury as a holding company for de Moraes, owning his residence and other properties. The nominal ownership of these assets was reportedly transferred from de Moraes and his family to the Lex Institute more than a decade ago. Viviane Barci de Moraes, who serves as the sole manager and administrator of the institute, has also been designated for her role as a leader of the sanctioned entity.
The sanctions are being implemented under Executive Order (E.O.) 13818, which builds upon the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. This act empowers the U.S. government to target perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption worldwide. The designation of the Lex Institute and Viviane de Moraes aims to block their property and interests in property within the United States or under the control of U.S. persons.
The prohibitions also extend to any entities owned 50 percent or more by the sanctioned parties and prevent U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with them. According to the Treasury, the ultimate goal of the sanctions is not to punish but to bring about a positive change in behavior.
READ: U.S. Treasury Sanctions Sudanese Islamist Actors, Citing Links To Iran And Civil War
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