Corruption probe rocks Bolsonaro son’s presidential campaign weeks before Brazil vote
Brazilian presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro is facing an investigation into alleged corruption and money laundering, shaking the right-wing campaign just weeks before the country’s October election.
A newly released court document shows police have been investigating the 45-year-old senator since July over possible crimes linked to financing the production of a forthcoming film about his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Police carried out dozens of raids Thursday as part of a broader investigation into the alleged embezzlement of public funds by the company producing the film, Dark Horse, which stars US actor Jim Caviezel as Jair Bolsonaro.
“I have nothing to hide. The film is completely legal,” Flavio Bolsonaro said at a campaign event Friday.
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Film financing under scrutiny
According to court documents, investigators believe Flavio Bolsonaro met several times with Daniel Vorcaro, the fraud-accused head of the collapsed Banco Master, to discuss financing for the film.
Investigators are also examining the transfer of $12.3 million from a company indirectly linked to Vorcaro to another company connected to an attorney for Flavio’s younger brother, Eduardo Bolsonaro.
Police said Thursday’s raids targeted, among others, Karina Gama, head of the company producing the film, and pro-Bolsonaro congressman Mario Frias, who is listed as its executive producer. Both have been barred from leaving Brazil while the investigation continues. Frias has denied wrongdoing and called the probe a “smoke screen.”