The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has announced sanctions against Lex Instituto de Estudos Juridicos LTDA (Lex Institute), a Brazilian legal entity, for its support to Alexandre de Moraes, a justice on Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court. Viviane Barci de Moraes, who leads the Lex Institute and is married to Alexandre de Moraes, was also sanctioned.
Alexandre de Moraes had previously been designated by OFAC on July 30, 2025. The department stated that he used his judicial position to authorize arbitrary pre-trial detentions and suppress freedom of expression in Brazil.
“Alexandre de Moraes is responsible for an oppressive campaign of censorship, arbitrary detentions, and politicized prosecutions—including against former President Jair Bolsonaro,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott 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.”
These measures are being taken under Executive Order 13818, which implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. This act allows the United States to target those involved in serious human rights abuses globally.
On July 30, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14323 regarding threats posed by the Government of Brazil. The order noted that Alexandre de Moraes misused his authority to pursue political opponents and restrict dissent. His involvement in convicting former President Jair Bolsonaro was cited as an example of political persecution.
According to OFAC, the Lex Institute serves as a holding company for Alexandre de Moraes and owns several residential properties associated with him and his family. Many properties were transferred from personal ownership into the Lex Institute more than ten years ago. Viviane Barci de Moraes has managed the institute since its founding in 2000.
The Lex Institute is sanctioned for materially assisting or providing financial or other support to Alexandre de Moraes, whose assets are already blocked under U.S. law. Viviane Barci de Moraes is sanctioned due to her leadership role at the organization during this period.
Executive Order 13818 was established in December 2017 based on findings that international human rights abuse and corruption threaten global stability and undermine democratic institutions and economic markets.
As a result of these actions, all property and interests in property belonging to those designated are blocked if located within or controlled by U.S. persons or entities. Any business owned at least fifty percent by one or more blocked individuals is also subject to sanctions. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions involving these parties unless specifically authorized by OFAC.
Violations may lead to civil or criminal penalties for both U.S. and foreign individuals or entities involved in prohibited activities related to designated persons.
OFAC emphasized that its sanction powers include not only designating but also removing names from its Specially Designated Nationals list when warranted by law: “The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior.” Information on removal requests can be found through OFAC’s published guidance on filing petitions.
