Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Flávio Dino has lifted the secrecy surrounding an investigation into the financing of Dark Horse, a biopic about former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Dino’s decision points to suspicions that public funds may have reached the film through an alleged criminal scheme. The case could create additional pressure on Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, Jair Bolsonaro’s eldest son and a presidential candidate in the October election.
The investigation examines alleged misuse of congressional budget amendments and possible links between public money and the film’s production.
Dino Raises Questions Over Public Funds
Dino said investigators had found stronger indications of a sophisticated scheme involving federal congressional amendments and the São Paulo city government.
The investigation focuses in part on funds directed to organizations connected to film producer Karina Ferreira da Gama.
Authorities suspect some of that money later reached companies that investigators describe as irregular subcontractors. They also say there is no evidence that some of the contracted services were actually delivered.
The Supreme Court has now ordered authorities to share material gathered during related investigations with federal police.
Mário Frias Faces Separate Scrutiny
Federal police targeted lawmaker and former Bolsonaro government culture secretary Mário Frias during an operation on Thursday.
Investigators searched addresses connected to Frias and others involved in the case. Police suspect congressional funds linked to Frias eventually supported the production of Dark Horse.
Dino said the evidence points to a possible leadership role for Frias within the alleged scheme. However, the investigation has not established guilt.
Frias has denied wrongdoing. He has also rejected claims that he directed congressional funds toward the film.
Dino separately ordered Frias not to leave Brazil while the investigation continues.
Flávio Bolsonaro Already Under Investigation
The latest development also adds pressure to an existing investigation involving Flávio Bolsonaro.
Supreme Court Justice André Mendonça authorized that probe in July. Investigators are examining allegations involving corruption, money laundering and foreign-exchange violations.
The case centers on money that former Banco Master chief executive Daniel Vorcaro allegedly agreed to provide for Dark Horse. Authorities are examining a reported 61 million reais transfer connected to the project.
Flávio has denied wrongdoing. He has said the funding discussions involved private money and has defended transparency in the investigation.
Possible Links to Criminal Network
Dino’s decision also raised the possibility that the suspected funding network could have connections to the First Command of the Capital, known as PCC.
The PCC is one of Brazil’s most powerful criminal organizations. The United States designated the group a foreign terrorist organization earlier this year.
At this stage, the alleged connection remains part of the investigation. Authorities have not established that people connected to Dark Horse knowingly worked with the criminal group.
Supreme Court Faces Wider Crisis
The film investigation comes as Brazil’s Supreme Court faces a separate dispute involving Banco Master.
The bank collapsed after authorities investigated an alleged multibillion-real fraud scheme. Vorcaro, its former chief executive, has links to several influential figures in Brazilian politics and public life.
The wider controversy has also produced disagreements among Supreme Court justices.
Dino recently clashed with Mendonça over decisions involving senior federal police officials. Chief Justice Edson Fachin later intervened and suspended the conflicting orders.
The disputes have intensified political pressure on the court.
Election Adds Political Pressure
The Dark Horse investigation comes just weeks before Brazil’s October 4 presidential election.
Flávio Bolsonaro is challenging President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in a closely watched contest. Recent polling shows the two candidates running close to each other, making any new controversy potentially significant for the campaign.
For now, investigators continue to examine the alleged flow of money behind the film.
The decision to lift the secrecy gives the public greater access to the evidence and allegations. It also puts new attention on the relationship between political funding, private financing and the production of the Bolsonaro biopic.
