Since Sergio Moro left the bench to become Jair Bolsonaro’s Justice Minister, the gravitational center of the Operation Car Wash corruption investigations moved from Curitiba, where Mr. Moro served as a judge, to Rio de Janeiro. In the Wonderful City, the new face of Car Wash is Federal Judge Marcelo Bretas, who has ordered several high-profile arrests, such as those of former President Michel Temer and former billionaire—and now “just” super-rich—Eike Batista.
Mr. Bretas has never shied away from the limelight; in fact, he has often reveled in it. However, his excessive exposure is now causing a negative backlash.
Over...