Senator Flavio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), a candidate for President in 2026, is formally investigated by the Supreme Federal Court (STF) in the inquiry that investigates the production of the film "Dark Horse," about his father Jair Bolsonaro, imprisoned for leading an attempted coup d'état. The decision to make the candidate a target of the investigation was made by Justice André Mendonça on July 22 of this year, at the request of the Federal Police.
The PF requested to investigate the possible practice of crimes of money laundering, currency evasion, corruption, and related offenses in the context of the financing of the cinematographic work with Banco Master. According to documents from the investigation, Flavio Bolsonaro negotiated directly with former banker Daniel Vorcaro the transfer of at least US$ 24 million (approximately R$ 122.7 million) for the production of the film, with at least US$ 12.3 million (approximately R$ 62.9 million) actually paid. Vorcaro is imprisoned for billion-dollar fraud against the Brazilian financial system.
Investigators suspect that part of the money raised for the film was used to pay expenses of Flavio's brother, Eduardo Bolsonaro, who lives in the United States. The Havengate Development Fund, used to finance the film, is managed by Paulo Calixto, a lawyer connected to Eduardo. Antônio Carlos Freixo Júnior, known as "Mineiro," in a plea agreement, revealed that he was responsible for making financial remittances and obtaining cash for Vorcaro, often delivered in suitcases.
On Thursday, September 10, Justice Mendonça lifted the secrecy from part of the Master case files, including the petition that bases the investigation at the court. Also on that day, the Federal Police carried out an operation authorized by Justice Flavio Dino regarding the film, investigating possible diversion of R$ 750 thousand and use of public funds. Among the targets is Deputy Mário Frias (PL-SP), who sent R$ 2 million in parliamentary amendments to ICB, an NGO chaired by Karina Gama, owner of Go Up Entertainment, the film's production company. Flavio Bolsonaro called the operation "fraudulent" and denied any irregularities.
