Brazil opposition candidate Flavio Bolsonaro faces financial crimes probe weeks before presidential election

Laura Gamba

Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the leading opposition candidate in Brazil’s upcoming presidential election, is under investigation for corruption, money laundering and currency evasion tied to the financing of a film about his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro.

Unsealed court documents declassified Friday by Supreme Court Justice Andre Mendonca reveal that the investigation into the 45-year-old lawmaker was opened in July 2025. The inquiry centers on potential financial crimes committed during the production and funding of the film, titled Dark Horse.

Speaking to reporters following a campaign event in Manaus on Friday, Bolsonaro denied any wrongdoing and defended the film’s financial arrangements.

“I have nothing to hide; the film is totally legal,” Bolsonaro said, adding that the project relied strictly on “private sponsorship.”

The investigation stems from text messages recovered from the mobile phone of financier Daniel Vorcaro, the controlling shareholder of Banco Master, who is currently imprisoned for his role in what authorities describe as the largest financial fraud in Brazil’s history.

According to police findings included in the court file, Flavio Bolsonaro solicited donations from Vorcaro to fund Dark Horse and urged the banker to expedite payments to cover the film’s production team.

Local media reports indicate Vorcaro disbursed at least 61 million reais ($12 million) in 2025 toward the film. Federal investigators allege those funds were deposited into US-based accounts belonging to individuals close to the Bolsonaro family.

Police are investigating whether a portion of Vorcaro’s funds was funneled to Eduardo Bolsonaro, the senator’s brother, who currently resides in the United States after being convicted of judicial coercion linked to his father’s legal proceedings. Former President Jair Bolsonaro is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for his role in an attempted coup d’etat following his 2022 election loss.

The court revelation comes just three weeks before Brazilians head to the polls on Oct. 4 to elect a president, state governors and members of Congress. Brazilian law does not prohibit an individual under police investigation from running for public office.

Recent surveys show Flavio Bolsonaro locked in a statistical tie with incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is seeking a consecutive term. Polls indicate the election will likely head to a decisive second-round runoff on Oct. 25, with the outcome expected to be decided by a narrow margin.