STORY-TRÅD·noje

Candidate Flávio Bolsonaro targeted by probe into “Dark Horse” film

Supreme Court Justice André Mendonça has revealed the existence of a police investigation into the involvement of presidential candidate and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro in alleged crimes related to the funding of the film Dark Horse, a biopic about his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro. On July 22, Flávio Bolsonaro had been placed under investigation regarding a BRL 61 million transfer made by former banker Daniel Vorcaro, owner of the now-defunct Banco Master, to fund the film’s production. Authorities suspect the funds were made available at the senator’s request. Notícias relacionadas:Lula urges full disclosure on Brazil’s “biggest financial crime”.Over 20,500 file for candidacy ahead of general elections this year.OAS to send international mission to monitor elections in Brazil.Former Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, Flávio’s brother, is also a target of the investigation. He has been identified as a possible beneficiary of part of the money. The inquiry was opened at the request of the Federal Police and received approval from Brazil’s prosecutor-general “to investigate the possible occurrence of the crimes of money laundering, currency evasion, corruption, and other related offenses, which were allegedly committed by Senator Flávio Nantes Bolsonaro, in connection with the financing of a film titled Dark Horse through Banco Master, owned by banker Daniel Bueno Vorcaro,” the motion submitted by the Federal Police reads. The existence of an investigation directly targeting Flávio came to light after Justice Mendonça lifted the confidentiality order on Thursday (Sep. 10) on 15 investigative proceedings stemming from Federal Police Operation Compliance Zero, which looks into corruption by public officials and billion-dollar financial fraud allegedly committed by Vorcaro and his group. Even though the authorization to start the probe was made public, Mendonça kept the contents of the investigation itself under seal, as well as the entire investigation involving Banco Master and the film. Mendonça lifted the judicial secrecy on the documents at the request of Justice Edson Fachin, head of the court, who on Thursday requested that the Banco Master investigation be made public, “with the sole exception of matters pertaining to investigative steps for which confidentiality is essential to the conduct of the investigation.” Plea bargain Last Wednesday (11), Justice Mendonça approved the plea bargain of foreign exchange dealer Antônio Carlos Freixo Júnior, known as Mineiro, who is alleged to have been responsible for making cash transfers related to the film. The connection between Flávio Bolsonaro and Vorcaro came to light after news outlet The Intercept Brasil published voice notes in which the senator is heard asking Vorcaro for funds to produce the feature. Since the recordings were published, Flávio Bolsonaro has not denied their authenticity, stating there is nothing wrong with seeking private funding to finance the film about his father.