BRASÍLIA, Brazil – Brazil’s Supreme Court has lifted the confidentiality of an investigation into the financing of Dark Horse, a biopic about former President Jair Bolsonaro, exposing allegations that public funds and money linked to a major banking scandal may have been used in the film’s production.
Justice Flávio Dino ordered the release of investigative material on Sunday, days after the Federal Police carried out a nationwide operation examining suspected misuse of congressional budget amendments and other public resources. The investigation is also examining financial transfers connected to the production of the film.
The case involves Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, Bolsonaro’s eldest son and a presidential candidate, as well as former lawmaker Mário Frias and other people connected to the production. Investigators are examining whether money was diverted through organizations and companies linked to the film.
The allegations remain under investigation and do not establish criminal liability.
Police investigate suspected public-fund diversion
The Federal Police launched Operation Make Up on Sept. 10, executing 49 search-and-seizure warrants across four Brazilian states and the Federal District.
According to the Federal Police, the operation is investigating suspected crimes involving public resources from congressional amendments, including possible bid-rigging, embezzlement, document fraud, money laundering and criminal organization.
Mário Frias, a Bolsonaro ally and former culture secretary, was among the targets. Investigators are examining his involvement in the allocation of public funds and his links to organizations associated with Dark Horse.
Dino said the evidence pointed to a possible scheme involving congressional budget amendments and the São Paulo municipal government. He described the hypothesis of a sophisticated system for allocating and diverting public money as having gained strength during the investigation.
■ Related News
Frias has denied wrongdoing and said he did not use congressional funds to finance or benefit the film.
Film financing linked to Banco Master investigation
A separate strand of the case concerns money provided by Daniel Vorcaro, the former owner of the failed Banco Master.
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro is under investigation over allegations involving millions of dollars transferred in connection with financing for Dark Horse. The senator has said the money was intended for the film’s production.
The investigation expanded after the Supreme Court authorized a police inquiry into transfers associated with the film. Justice André Mendonça had previously authorized the investigation after a request from federal investigators and a favorable opinion from federal prosecutors.
The case also involves Eduardo Bolsonaro, another son of the former president, who has been investigated in connection with the financing arrangements. He has denied receiving money from Vorcaro.
Dino releases material as investigation widens
Dino’s decision makes investigative material available publicly while directing federal authorities to continue examining evidence gathered in related investigations.
The material includes evidence previously collected by São Paulo authorities concerning organizations connected to the film’s producer. Brazilian authorities are examining possible links between the production and a separate investigation involving public funding for a municipal Wi-Fi program.
The producer, Karina Ferreira da Gama, has denied irregularities. Her company, Go Up Entertainment, is among the entities examined by investigators.
The investigation has also brought scrutiny to the movement of money through nonprofit organizations and companies connected to the film and to public contracts. Investigators are working to determine whether apparently separate financial transactions were part of a coordinated scheme.
Political stakes rise before election
The investigation comes at a politically sensitive moment for Brazil.
Flávio Bolsonaro is preparing to run for president against incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in October. The investigation therefore places a criminal inquiry involving a leading opposition candidate alongside an increasingly contentious debate over the role of the Supreme Court and the handling of corruption investigations.
The court’s decision to make the material public is intended to increase transparency around the investigation, but the documents contain allegations and investigative hypotheses that have not been established as criminal findings.
Authorities must now determine whether the financial links identified in the investigation constitute evidence of crimes and whether any individuals or organizations should ultimately face charges.
For the moment, the unsealing gives the public greater access to the evidence being examined while the federal investigation continues.
Reporting Credit: Supreme Federal Court of Brazil (STF) — judicial decisions and handling of the investigation; Federal Police of Brazil — Operation Make Up, search warrants and investigation into suspected misuse of public funds; Federal Prosecutor’s Office — prosecutorial requests and proceedings related to the investigation; Brazil’s Controladoria-Geral da União — participation in Operation Make Up.
