Flávio Bolsonaro investigated for corruption and money laundering in film financing
The Federal Police is investigating Flávio Bolsonaro on suspicion of corruption and money laundering linked to the financing of the film Dark Horse. The inquiry was made public this Friday.
Federal Police investigates presidential candidate on suspicions linked to film about Jair Bolsonaro
The Federal Police of Brazil has opened an inquiry against Flávio Bolsonaro, presidential candidate and senator, on suspicion of corruption, money laundering and currency evasion in the financing of a biopic about his father, former president Jair Bolsonaro. The investigation was made public this Friday, according to observador.pt.
The inquiry was authorised in July by judge André Mendonça of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), but remained confidential until Thursday night, when the president of the STF, Edson Fachin, lifted confidentiality on the Banco Master case.
In the decision to open the inquiry, Mendonça states that the Federal Police requested the establishment of proceedings to investigate "the possible commission of the crimes of money laundering, currency evasion, corruption and other related offences, which would allegedly have been committed" by Flávio Bolsonaro. The action stems "in the context of financing for the production of a cinematographic work called Dark Horse with Banco Master of banker Daniel Bueno Vorcaro".
The Attorney General's Office did not oppose the opening of the inquiry, pointing to "indications of unlawful conduct", and further ordered the investigation of legislative proposals presented or supported by the senator in defence of Banco Master.
Compromising audio recordings and money from imprisoned former banker
The financing of the film became a weak point in Flávio Bolsonaro's campaign after the portal The Intercept Brasil released audio recordings in which he asks Daniel Vorcaro, a former banker detained for fraud in the financial system, for money. At first, Flávio denied having requested the funds; he later admitted requesting and receiving them, promising to account for the financial details of the project within 30 days — a deadline he failed to meet.
Vorcaro participated in the financing of Dark Horse through direct negotiations with Flávio Bolsonaro, who reportedly demanded more than once that payments be made, according to the crossing of information by the Federal Police.
One of the main lines of investigation points to the hypothesis that part of the resources was channelled to cover expenses of Flávio's brother, Eduardo Bolsonaro, in the United States, where he has been since February 2025.
Two inquiries at the Supreme Court
The financing of the film Dark Horse is the subject of two separate proceedings at Brazil's Supreme Court. The first, reported by Mendonça, focuses on the route and purpose of resources transferred by Vorcaro to finance the feature film. The second, under the responsibility of judge Flávio Dino, investigates whether the production company Go Up Entertainment used public funds — including parliamentary amendments — to finance expenses associated with the project.
Flávio associates investigation with election campaign
Questioned this Friday at a press conference, Flávio Bolsonaro linked the lifting of confidentiality and new police operations authorised by the Supreme Court to the fact that he has surpassed Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, his main opponent, in some voting intention polls.
"We are in a presidential election, and it is no secret to anyone. And they will try to destabilise and show things that do not exist," he declared during a campaign event in Manaus. The candidate defended judge Mendonça, but criticised Flávio Dino, whom he accused of alignment with the Planalto Palace.
Source: Google News PT — Crime (pt)