Corruption probe hits Brazil’s presidential hopeful Flavio Bolsonaro

Police carried out dozens of raids on Thursday targeting a network of people and companies tied to a biographical film about former president Jair Bolsonaro. The operation centres on a court filing that says Flavio Bolsonaro, a senator and the son of the ex‑leader, has been under investigation since July for possible crimes related to financing the movie.

Investigation details

The film, titled Dark Horse, stars US actor Jim Caviezel as the former president. Prosecutors allege that public parliamentary funds were diverted to the production company, a move they describe as embezzlement. A police source said the raids focused on Karina Gama, head of the production firm, and congressman Mario Frias, listed as the film’s executive producer. Both have been barred from leaving Brazil while the case proceeds.

I have nothing to hide. The film is completely legal.

At a campaign event, Flavio Bolsonaro repeated the claim, insisting the financing was lawful.

Political fallout

The investigation does not bar Flavio Bolsonaro from running, but it adds fresh pressure to a campaign already shadowed by his father’s 2022 jail term for an alleged coup attempt. The candidate has tried to position himself as a more moderate version of his father, promising to tackle crime, high food prices and public debt.

Documents obtained by AFP indicate that Flavio Bolsonaro met with notorious fraud‑accused banker Daniel Vorcaro, former head of the collapsed Banco Master, to discuss funding for the film. The paperwork also shows a $12.3 million transfer from a company linked to Vorcaro to another tied to an attorney for Eduardo Bolsonaro, Flavio’s younger brother.

Legal scholar Mayra Goulart of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro warned that while the scandal may hurt the incumbent more, it could also influence voters whose preferences are not firmly set. The Supreme Court’s involvement, including interactions between Vorcaro and Justice Alexandre de Moraes, has further heightened tensions.

Current polls place the two front‑runners neck‑and‑neck. If no candidate secures an outright majority on 4 October, a runoff will be held on 25 October, leaving the outcome of the investigation as a potential swing factor in the final round.